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

Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) saw some unusual options trading on Monday. Investors bought 21,201 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 59% compared to the typical daily volume of 13,311 call options.

Insider Buying and Selling at Valero Energy

In other Valero Energy news, Director Kimberly S. Greene sold 720 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $158.12, for a total value of $113,846.40. Following the sale, the director now owns 13,314 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,105,209.68. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.04% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valero Energy

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. BKM Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Rise Advisors LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy in the first quarter valued at about $33,000. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the first quarter worth about $33,000. Wetzel Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, First Foundation Advisors acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $37,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Valero Energy Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of VLO stock opened at $150.73 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The company has a market capitalization of $49.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.47, a P/E/G ratio of 1.47 and a beta of 1.47. Valero Energy has a 12-month low of $111.14 and a 12-month high of $184.79. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $158.24 and a 200 day moving average price of $149.59.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 25th. The oil and gas company reported $3.82 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.18 by $0.64. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 24.82% and a net margin of 5.01%. The business had revenue of $31.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $32.02 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $8.27 EPS. Valero Energy’s revenue was down 12.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts forecast that Valero Energy will post 17.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 30th will be issued a $1.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 30th. This represents a $4.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.84%. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 21.20%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Argus cut shares of Valero Energy from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 16th. Barclays reduced their price objective on Valero Energy from $179.00 to $173.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 30th. Mizuho lowered their price objective on Valero Energy from $176.00 to $171.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 20th. UBS Group raised their target price on Valero Energy from $167.00 to $197.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 26th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $177.00 to $178.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, April 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $172.00.

Valero Energy Company Profile

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.