Proficio Capital Partners LLC Makes New $601,000 Investment in Valero Energy Corporation $VLO

Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 2,309 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock, valued at approximately $601,000.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $1,111,542,000. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new position in Valero Energy in the second quarter valued at about $1,195,943,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the third quarter valued at about $275,239,000. Pacer Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 2,635.7% during the fourth quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 950,527 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $154,736,000 after purchasing an additional 915,782 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Amundi grew its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 45.3% during the first quarter. Amundi now owns 2,584,976 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $638,695,000 after purchasing an additional 806,018 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Erste Group Bank lowered shares of Valero Energy from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday. Piper Sandler restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $329.00 price target on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Raymond James Financial raised their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $300.00 to $340.00 and gave the company a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $259.00 to $302.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $288.00.

Valero Energy Stock Down 0.3%

Valero Energy stock opened at $346.90 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.64. Valero Energy Corporation has a 52-week low of $149.52 and a 52-week high of $353.00. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $301.22 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $258.41. The firm has a market cap of $99.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.39, a PEG ratio of 0.23 and a beta of 0.55.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The oil and gas company reported $12.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $10.11 by $2.43. Valero Energy had a net margin of 5.17% and a return on equity of 26.74%. The firm had revenue of $44.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $39.47 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.28 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 48.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 40.62 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 31st. Investors of record on Friday, July 31st will be issued a $1.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 31st. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is presently 19.92%.

More Valero Energy News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Tight global refining capacity, low light-product inventories and supply disruptions are supporting stronger refining margins. Valero’s flexible coastal refinery network is positioned to benefit if these conditions persist. Is Valero Energy Poised to Benefit From a Tight Refining Market?
• Positive Sentiment: Valero was included in a Zacks list of Rank #1 “Strong Buy” growth stocks, reflecting favorable earnings momentum and growth characteristics. Best Growth Stocks to Buy for August 27th
• Positive Sentiment: The company’s approximately $7.9 billion cash balance, low leverage and established capital-return program provide financial flexibility. Refinery upgrades could further improve cash generation and shareholder returns. Will Valero’s Excess Cash Translate Into Higher Shareholder Returns?
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage also points to falling Treasury yields, strong earnings trends and low debt as potential supports for VLO, while Barron’s sees additional upside after the shares more than doubled in 2026 on surging refining margins. 3 Growth Stocks to Buy as Treasury Yields Fall
• Neutral Sentiment: Valero was highlighted in several investment screens and value-oriented articles, increasing visibility but adding limited new company-specific information.
• Negative Sentiment: Erste Group Bank AG downgraded Valero from “buy” to “hold.” The move may temper enthusiasm, particularly with the stock trading close to its 52-week high after a substantial rally. Finviz Valero Energy coverage

Insider Transactions at Valero Energy

In other Valero Energy news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 7,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, June 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $268.17, for a total transaction of $2,011,275.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 19,742 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,294,212.14. This represents a 27.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.36% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.