Valero Energy: Dividend Capture With An Option Hedge

By Robert Weinstein: The Gap Inc. (GPS)

By Robert Weinstein: Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) Yield: 3.71% Dividend Amount: $0.43 Ex-Dividend Date: January 06, 2012 Beta: 0.88

By Robert Weinstein:Many high quality companies offer quarterly dividends to investors. Dividends may be a great source of income and with each dividend payment received; shareholders are able to lower their cost in an investment. Many investors will buy a company in part because of the dividend and the current yield.

By John Mylant: There are many investors, analysts, and writers bullish on Valero (VLO). Still in a downward trend, but considered much undervalued by the numbers, it may be a good investment. But we are of the opinion that the stock should be hedged against loss by investors until a bottom is defined.(Click chart to expand)

By Robert Weinstein:Many high quality companies offer quarterly dividends to investors. Dividends may be a great source of income, and with each dividend payment received, shareholders are able to lower their cost in an investment. Many investors will buy a company in part because of the dividend and the current yield. The most important basic requirement to receive a dividend from a company is to be a shareholder on the day of record for the dividend.

By Jim Van Meerten: Energy is a highly followed industry and Valero Energy (VLO) is a highly followed petroleum refiner. Despite recent weakness in oil prices, overall the energy sector has had a very good year. After a recent dip Valero's price is starting to recover as revealed in this hourly trading chart for the past month provided by Barchart:

Bret Jensen submits:Company Overview: Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) operates as an independent petroleum refining and marketing company. The company operates through three segments: Refining, Retail, and Ethanol. The Refining segment engages in refining operations, wholesale marketing, product supply and distribution, and transportation operations.

By ValueMax:Valero Energy (VLO) operates as an independent petroleum refining and marketing company. Valero's headquarters are in San Antonio, Texas. The company has a market cap of $17.4 billion and a stock price of around $32; it is a company on the rise.