Valero Energy Climbs 2.6% to 313th in Trading Volume as Institutions Boost Stakes 3.5% and Analysts Target 9.99% Gains

Valero Energy (VLO) rose 2.60% on August 27, 2025, with a trading volume of $0.32 billion, ranking 313th in market activity. Analysts from 17 Wall Street firms assigned a "Moderate Buy" consensus rating, supported by 12 "Buy" and 2 "Strong Buy" recommendations. The average 12-month price target stands at $154.47, implying a 9.99% potential upside from its current price of $140.43. Institutional investors, including Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co., increased their stakes in the stock by 3.5%, while other major holders like Vanguard Group and Charles Schwab also expanded positions during Q1 2025.

Recent earnings reported $2.28 per share, surpassing estimates, though revenue declined 13.3% year-over-year to $29.89 billion. The company maintains a 3.1% dividend yield with an annualized payout of $4.52, despite a high payout ratio of 188.33%. Analysts have adjusted price targets upward, with Wells Fargo and Morgan Stanley raising theirs to $168.00 and $160.00 respectively. However, some firms like Wolfe Research downgraded from "Outperform" to "Peer Perform," reflecting cautious sentiment amid sector volatility.

Valero’s stock performance aligns with broader energy sector movements, as refiners like Marathon and Valero gained over 2.5% earlier in the week. The stock trades at a forward P/E ratio of 60.50, with a market capitalization of $45.11 billion. Institutional ownership now accounts for 78.69% of shares outstanding, signaling strong institutional confidence in its long-term prospects.

Here is some news for you! Valero Energy Corporation has a 1-year low of $99.00 and a 1-year high of $155.12. The company's 50-day and 200-day moving averages stand at $140.59 and $130.84 respectively. Institutional investors collectively hold 78.69% of the stock, with key holders including Vanguard Group and Charles Schwab. The stock opened at $145.1990 on Monday, reflecting continued institutional interest in its refining and renewable diesel operations.