Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) has closed a number of its refineries as Isaac looms.

Valero Energy Forced To Close Refineries

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) has closed two refineries in Louisiana in the wake of the threat of tropical storm Isaac.

The company shut down its 135,000 bpd Meraux refinery in LA and 270,000 bpd refinery in St. Charles, Norco as a precaution.

It has been forecast that Isaac will turn in to a hurricane later this week.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) spokesman Bill Day said, “The Valero St. Charles Refinery and the Valero Meraux Refinery began the process of an orderly shutdown of their production units this morning as a precautionary measure in advance of Tropical Storm Isaac’s expected landfall. We expect to have that shutdown completed tonight. Refinery production will resume as soon as it is safe to do so”.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) stocks were at 29.24 at the end of the last day’s trading. There’s been a 30.9% movement in the stock price over the past 3 months.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Analyst Advice
Consensus Opinion: Moderate Buy
Mean recommendation: Error
(1=Strong Buy, 5=Strong Sell)
3 Months Ago: Error
Zack’s Rank: 10 out of 23 in the industry

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) is considering splitting its retail business.

Valero Energy Could Split Retail Business

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) has announced that its board of directors have approved separation of its retail business.

The company owns more than 1000 fuel stations in US and Canada and it plans to sell or spin off this retail business.

It will proceed with its wholesale fuel marketing business and will offload gasoline and convenience store business.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO)’s CEO Bill Klesse said, “We are the manufacturing company with a wholesale marketing business. We are not going to be selling Twinkies and beer and cigarettes. We are going to leave that to the retail group”.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) shares were at 27.50 at the end of the last day’s trading. There’s been a 10.7% change in the stock price over the past 3 months.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Analyst Advice
Consensus Opinion: Moderate Buy
Mean recommendation: Error
(1=Strong Buy, 5=Strong Sell)
3 Months Ago: Error
Zack’s Rank: 11 out of 23 in the industry

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) has increased its quarterly dividend to 17.5 cents.

Valero Energy Ups Dividend

The petrochemical products manufacturer Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) has increased its regular quarterly dividend by 2.5 cents, up from $0.15 per share to $0.175 per share.

The dividend increase is effective with payable on September 12, 2012 to the holders of record on August 15, 2012.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO)’s chief executive officer Bill Klesse said, “With this increase, Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO)’s dividend per share is at the highest level in company history and shows our confidence in improved operations, favorable industry trends, and future benefits from our large growth projects that are nearing completion”.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) shares were at 24.93 at the end of the last day’s trading. There’s been a 3.2% change in the stock price over the past 3 months.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Analyst Advice
Consensus Opinion: Moderate Buy
Mean recommendation: Error
(1=Strong Buy, 5=Strong Sell)
3 Months Ago: Error
Zack’s Rank: 10 out of 23 in the industry

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) has struck a deal with Frost Bank and Cardtronics for free ATM services.

Valero Energy To Introduce Free ATMs

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) announced that it has reached an agreement with Frost Bank and Cardtronics Inc to offer free ATM services at 615 Valero Corner stores in Texas.

The ATMs will be placed at the Corner stores by Aug. 15.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO)’s Retail president Gary Arthur said, “We welcome Frost’s customers to our Corner Store locations in Texas. Frost customers can look forward to enjoying the same great fast, friendly service as other Corner Store customers do today”.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) company shares are currently standing at 25.20.

Price History
Last Price: 25.20
52 Week Low / High: 16.4 / 28.68
50 Day Moving Average: 23.02
6 Month Price Change %: 4.2%
12 Month Price Change %: -5.6%

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) has closed a Louisiana refinery after a fire.

Valero Energy Shuts Fire Refinery

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) announced that it has shut down all units of its Meraux refinery in Louisiana after the refinery caught fire early Sunday.

The company said that fire was put out late Sunday and units will remain closed to make repairs of its crude unit and related utilities.

The 125,000 barrels per day capacity refinery processes medium sour crude oil and produces premium products.

Bill Day, Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) spokesman, said, “A full damage assessment is still under way at the Meraux refinery. The units will remain down while repairs are made to the crude unit and related utilities. It is believed that it was leaking crude oil”.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) shares were at 25.65 at the end of the last day’s trading. There’s been a 6.4% change in the stock price over the past 3 months.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Analyst Advice
Consensus Opinion: Moderate Buy
Mean recommendation: Error
(1=Strong Buy, 5=Strong Sell)
3 Months Ago: Error
Zack’s Rank: 9 out of 23 in the industry

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) has announced the closure of its Indiana ethanol plant.

Valero Energy Closing Indiana Plant

Petrochemical products manufacturer Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) has announced that it has temporarily closed its Indiana ethanol plant due to economic reasons.

The company closed the Linden plant which produces 110 million gallons of ethanol annually, and also closed its Nebraska ethanol plant recently due to the shortage of corn supplies and high costs.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) spokesman Bill Day said, “The temporary shutdown yesterday follows the closing of Valero’s Albion, Nebraska, ethanol plant June 19. We expect to resume production once market conditions improve”.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) shares are currently standing at 23.62.

Price History
Last Price: 23.62
52 Week Low / High: 16.4 / 28.68
50 Day Moving Average: 22.64
6 Month Price Change %: 13.7%
12 Month Price Change %: -4.0%

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Corporation has scheduled its participation in the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Refining Conference.

Valero Energy To Present At BoA Conference

Reuters has reported that the international manufacturer and marketer of transportation fuels, Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Corporation’s Chairman and CEO Bill Klesse will present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Refining Conference on March 6.

A live webcast of the presentation and associated slides will be accessible via Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO)’s website at www.valero.com.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Corporation’s assets include 16 petroleum refineries with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3 million barrels per day, 10 ethanol plants with a combined production capacity of 1.2 billion gallons per year, and a 50-megawatt wind farm.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) shares were at 27.06 at the end of the last day’s trading. There’s been a 12.5% change in the stock price over the past 3 months.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Analyst Advice
Consensus Opinion: Hold
Mean recommendation: 2.14
(1=Strong Buy, 5=Strong Sell)
3 Months Ago: 2
Zack’s Rank: 5 out of 20 in the industry

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) has unveiled its plan to start a new cellulosic ethanol plant in Michigan.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) To Fire Up Ethanol Plant

Crude oil refiner Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) has decided to invest about $50 million for a new cellulosic ethanol plant in US state of Michigan.

This investment will allow Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) to purchase the facility’s 40 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol.

Construction of the plant is scheduled to commence in 2012 and ethanol production is expected to begin in 2013.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) shares are currently standing at 21.02.

Price History
Last Price: 21.02
52 Week Low / High: 16.4 / 31.12
50 Day Moving Average: 21.91
6 Month Price Change %: -16.8%
12 Month Price Change %: -16.1%