Piper Sandler Lowers Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Price Target to $217.00

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) had its price objective decreased by stock analysts at Piper Sandler from $223.00 to $217.00 in a research note issued on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an “overweight” rating on the oil and gas company’s stock. Piper Sandler’s price target would suggest a potential upside of 19.40% from the stock’s current price.

Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on VLO. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $169.00 to $184.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $162.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Bank of America reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $195.00 price target (down from $198.00) on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $177.00 to $197.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $182.80.

Valero Energy Stock Down 1.2%

Shares of VLO traded down $2.12 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $181.75. The stock had a trading volume of 633,276 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,844,697. The firm has a market cap of $55.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $172.22 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $158.77. Valero Energy has a twelve month low of $99.00 and a twelve month high of $187.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 1.09.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The oil and gas company reported $3.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.15 by $0.51. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 8.69% and a net margin of 1.21%.The business had revenue of $32.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $28.80 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.14 earnings per share. Valero Energy’s quarterly revenue was down 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Valero Energy will post 7.92 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Valero Energy

In other news, CFO Jason W. Fraser sold 9,933 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $174.02, for a total transaction of $1,728,540.66. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 134,196 shares in the company, valued at $23,352,787.92. The trade was a 6.89% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.04% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valero Energy

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Highline Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in Valero Energy by 70.2% during the 3rd quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 160 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the period. Hoey Investments Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the second quarter worth $26,000. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Cypress Capital Management LLC WY acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at about $34,000. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valero Energy News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Reports that U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan oil will be eased and shipments to the U.S. could resume indefinitely — a direct benefit to complex refiners like Valero that can process heavy crude. Valero to keep importing gasoline after Benicia refinery closure, California governor says
• Positive Sentiment: Stocks in the sector, including VLO, surged after Trump’s actions around Venezuela were seen as increasing U.S. access to heavy crude — traders view this as a structural win for refiners. Valero Energy (VLO) Jumps Following Trump’s Blitz in Venezuela
• Positive Sentiment: Broker support remains: Barclays reiterated a Buy on VLO (backing upside) and BMO maintained a Buy with a $195 PT — analyst backing can attract additional buying. Barclays Remains a Buy on Valero Energy (VLO)
• Positive Sentiment: Sector write-ups (Investopedia/Zacks) flag VLO as a potential beneficiary if Venezuelan heavy crude becomes available — supports the thesis of sustainable margin improvement for complex refiners. These Stocks Could Gain From Venezuela’s Upheaval
• Neutral Sentiment: Valero will boost gasoline imports into California as it closes the Benicia refinery in April — maintains market share but shifts margin/ logistics dynamics. Valero to Boost Fuel Imports to California After Refinery Closes
• Neutral Sentiment: FT/Reuters note that U.S. oil companies want “serious guarantees” before large Venezuela investments — this tempers how quickly major upstream investment (and feedstock supply) will flow. US oil companies say they need guarantees to invest in Venezuela, FT reports
• Neutral Sentiment: Unusual options activity: a large purchase of puts suggests some traders are hedging or positioning for near-term volatility — raises caution despite bullish headlines.
• Negative Sentiment: Counterpoint research warns the Venezuela story may be overhyped and that operational/credit risks limit sustained upside — a reminder this is a politically driven catalyst with downside if plans stall. Valero Energy: Sell The Venezuela Hype

About Valero Energy

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.