Sterling Capital Management 13F: Cuts VLO Stake by $6.5M

Sterling Capital Management cut its stake in Valero Energy Corporation VLO by 27.3% during the third quarter, according to a Form 13F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 22, 2026. The fund sold 16,852 shares of the independent petroleum refiner, leaving it with 44,824 shares worth about $17.4 million at the end of the period. Valero Energy closed at $426.28 on the filing date.

VLO Valero Energy Corporation

$419.28 ▲ +157.38% year to date

1M 3M YTD

Daily close · Oct 23, 2026

What Changed in Sterling Capital's Valero Energy Position

The reduction lowers Sterling Capital's exposure to the refining company following a previous holding of 61,676 shares. The remaining stake represents a smaller position in the San Antonio-based energy company, whose shares closed at $426.28 on October 22, 2026.

Other Institutional Activity in Valero Energy

Other large investors adjusted their holdings in the energy firm around the same time. Charles Schwab Trust grew its holdings by 1,100 shares, ending with 1,100 shares worth about $426,371 in a report dated October 15, 2026. Montrusco Bolton Investments reduced its holdings by 168,483 shares, ending with 468,947 shares worth about $181.8 million in a report dated October 13, 2026. Mirae Asset Securities closed its position by selling 32,574 shares, dropping its holdings to zero in a report dated October 15, 2026. Rokos Capital Management opened a new position of 186,570 shares worth about $48.6 million in a report dated May 15, 2026.

Valero Energy Corporation Stock Down 2.4%

Valero shares recently traded around $426.28 as of October 24, 2026, which is about equal to the price seen on the filing date. The stock sits 52.7% above its 200-day moving average of $279.22 and 9.1% above its 50-day moving average of $390.88. Over the past year, the shares have traded between a low of $159.90 and a high of $461.52, placing the recent price 7.6% below the 52-week peak. The company has a market capitalization of $122.7 billion and trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.7.

Recent Earnings

Valero reported trailing twelve-month revenue of $146.6 billion alongside diluted earnings of $43.97 per share. The firm generated a net profit margin of 8.8% and posted a year-over-year revenue growth rate of 51.9%. The next quarterly earnings report is scheduled for January 28, 2027.

Dividend

The company pays an annual dividend of $4.80 per share, giving investors a dividend yield of 1.13% based on recent trading levels. The payout ratio sits at 19.4%, indicating that a modest portion of earnings goes toward shareholder distributions.

Insider Buying and Selling at Valero Energy Corporation

Company insiders executed several share sales earlier in the year. Eric A. Fisher sold 7,500 shares on May 18, 2026, at an average price of $251.61 for a total of $1.9 million. Eric A. Fisher sold another 7,500 shares on June 18, 2026, at $236.90 totaling $1.8 million. Eric Fisher sold 7,500 shares on June 29, 2026, at $268.17 for $2.0 million, and Eric A. Fisher completed an identical transaction of 7,500 shares at $268.17 on the same date.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Wall Street firms updated their views on the stock ahead of the filing. Evercore ISI Group maintained an In-Line rating with a $385 target on October 12, 2026. Citigroup maintained a Neutral rating while raising its target to $485 on October 13, 2026. Wells Fargo kept an Overweight rating and a $485 target on October 14, 2026. TD Cowen maintained a Hold rating with a $400 target on October 22, 2026. The stock carries a consensus buy rating across 19 analyst opinions with a mean price target of $418.79.

About Valero Energy

Valero Energy Corporation operates as an international manufacturer and marketer of transportation fuels and petrochemical products. The company runs operations across three main divisions: refining petroleum products, producing renewable diesel, and manufacturing ethanol. Its facilities span the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Latin America.

Bottom Line

Investors continue to monitor Valero's valuation levels as the stock trades near its 52-week highs. The next quarterly earnings release on January 28, 2027, will provide updated figures on refining margins and fuel demand.