Gabelli Funds LLC Boosts Holdings in Valero Energy Corporation $VLO

Gabelli Funds LLC lifted its holdings in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) by 5.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 76,907 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after purchasing an additional 3,830 shares during the period. Gabelli Funds LLC’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $13,094,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Waddell & Associates LLC raised its stake in Valero Energy by 2.8% in the third quarter. Waddell & Associates LLC now owns 2,040 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $347,000 after buying an additional 56 shares in the last quarter. DSG Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Valero Energy by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. DSG Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,803 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $647,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Cypress Capital Group boosted its position in shares of Valero Energy by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Cypress Capital Group now owns 18,786 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $3,199,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA increased its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 3,381 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $576,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Becker Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Becker Capital Management Inc. now owns 11,837 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $2,015,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently weighed in on VLO. Bank of America restated a “neutral” rating and set a $195.00 target price (down from $198.00) on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $197.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. UBS Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Zacks Research cut shares of Valero Energy from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $187.67.

Valero Energy News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Valero Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Valero priced an $850 million offering of 5.150% senior notes due 2036 and said proceeds may repay outstanding 7.65% debt — this should lower interest expense and extend maturities, supporting credit profile and cash flow. Valero Energy Corporation Announces Pricing of Notes Offering
• Positive Sentiment: Geopolitical shock from the Iran leadership change has pushed crude higher; analysts highlight refiners (including Valero) as beneficiaries of stronger crack spreads and margin expansion. Higher crude can raise refinery throughput economics in the near term. The Iran War Is Reshaping Energy Markets and These Stocks Win Big
• Positive Sentiment: Soaring jet fuel prices (Singapore benchmark) are widening margins for jet fuel — a key refined product — which benefits Valero’s refining economics and near‑term revenue potential. Jet Fuel Prices Are Soaring, and Airline Stocks Are Tumbling. These Companies Are the Big Winners.
• Positive Sentiment: Valero is advancing renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel projects, approved a dividend increase, and expects to benefit from new tax credits and changes in crude supply mix — supporting medium‑term earnings diversification and shareholder returns. Valero Energy Weighs Refining Strength Against Energy Transition Opportunities
• Neutral Sentiment: Options volume and open interest in VLO have spiked, signaling increased speculative or hedging activity; this can amplify intraday moves but is an ambiguous indicator for longer‑term direction. Spotlight on Valero Energy: Analyzing the Surge in Options Activity
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple bullish analyst/style‑score pieces (Zacks, MSN summaries) argue VLO remains attractive as momentum/value—useful framing but largely reiterative and not a catalyst by itself. Why Valero Energy (VLO) is a Top Momentum Stock for the Long-Term
• Neutral Sentiment: Sector peer moves (e.g., Phillips 66) and technical momentum (reports of multi‑day gains) support the industry narrative, but they can also prompt profit‑taking in a fast‑run stock like VLO. Why Is Phillips 66 (PSX) Up 7.8% Since Last Earnings Report?
• Negative Sentiment: Barchart and other commentary warn that Middle East uncertainty increases downside risk and volatility for projections — geopolitical upside is not guaranteed and can reverse quickly, which raises short‑term risk for VLO’s high valuation. What Does the Middle East Conflict Mean for Valero Energy Stock?

Valero Energy Stock Down 1.3%

Shares of NYSE VLO opened at $225.02 on Monday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $191.65 and a 200 day moving average price of $175.20. The stock has a market cap of $67.29 billion, a PE ratio of 29.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. Valero Energy Corporation has a 52-week low of $99.00 and a 52-week high of $232.99.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The oil and gas company reported $3.82 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.27 by $0.55. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 12.35% and a net margin of 1.91%.During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.64 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 5th will be issued a $1.20 dividend. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 5th. This is a positive change from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 62.83%.

Valero Energy Profile

Valero Energy Corporation is a San Antonio, Texas–based integrated downstream energy company that manufactures and markets transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks and other industrial products. The company’s operations focus on refining crude oil into finished fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, as well as producing asphalt and other refined product streams for commercial and industrial customers.

In addition to refining, Valero has significant operations in renewable fuels, including the production of ethanol and other biofuels, and it manages an extensive logistics network of pipelines, terminals, rail and marine assets to move feedstocks and finished products.