Convergence Investment Partners LLC Sells 550 Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Convergence Investment Partners LLC trimmed its position in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 3.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 17,325 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 550 shares during the quarter. Valero Energy accounts for approximately 1.2% of Convergence Investment Partners LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest position. Convergence Investment Partners LLC’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $2,252,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BKM Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Wetzel Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. FSC Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Authentikos Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $42,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Citigroup upped their target price on Valero Energy from $160.00 to $192.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 18th. Barclays upped their price objective on Valero Energy from $149.00 to $179.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Valero Energy from $171.00 to $184.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on Valero Energy from $130.00 to $171.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. Finally, Raymond James upped their price objective on Valero Energy from $154.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $173.63.

Valero Energy Price Performance

NYSE VLO traded down $1.33 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $165.80. The stock had a trading volume of 2,065,193 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,618,982. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $161.07 and its 200 day moving average is $140.68. Valero Energy Co. has a twelve month low of $104.18 and a twelve month high of $184.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $55.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.21, a PEG ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.54.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 25th. The oil and gas company reported $3.82 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.18 by $0.64. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 24.95% and a net margin of 5.01%. The firm had revenue of $31.76 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $32.02 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $8.27 EPS. The firm’s revenue was down 12.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Valero Energy Co. will post 18.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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.