Valero Energy Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NYSE:VLO)

Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) was the target of unusually large options trading activity on Wednesday. Investors acquired 15,223 call options on the stock. Thisrepresentsanincreaseof141% compared to the typical daily volume of 6,316 call options.

Valero Energy Trading Up 0.0%

VLO opened at $155.40 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $48.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 64.75, a P/E/G ratio of 3.63 and a beta of 1.10. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $143.00 and its 200-day moving average is $131.97. Valero Energy has a 52-week low of $99.00 and a 52-week high of $159.26. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 24th. The oil and gas company reported $2.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.66 by $0.62. The company had revenue of $29.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $27 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 0.62% and a return on equity of 5.76%. The business’s quarterly revenue was down 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.71 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Valero Energy will post 7.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 31st were paid a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 31st. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.9%. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is presently 188.33%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

VLO has been the topic of several research reports. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $140.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $158.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $159.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, July 28th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $164.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 25th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $156.40.

Institutional Trading of Valero Energy

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Wayfinding Financial LLC bought a new stake in Valero Energy during the first quarter valued at $26,000. Hoey Investments Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the second quarter valued at $26,000. GFG Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 156.6% in the 1st quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 213 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 130 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

About Valero Energy

Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, Mexico, Peru, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol.