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Valero Energy Corporation (VLO)
:VLO
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Valero Energy (VLO) AI Stock Analysis

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VLO

Valero Energy

(NYSE:VLO)

Rating:73Outperform
Price Target:
$168.00
â–˛(8.89% Upside)
Valero Energy's overall stock score reflects strong technical momentum and operational efficiency, despite high leverage and potential overvaluation concerns. The company's commitment to shareholder returns and strategic debt management are positive, but challenges in the Renewable Diesel segment and declining net income are notable risks.
Positive Factors
Cash Flow Management
VLO reiterated that it will payout at least 40% - 50% of annual cash flow and is in a position to return all excess cash flow.
Financial Performance
VLO had a positive refining outlook despite seasonal downside in gasoline.
Market Position
Strong export demand is noted with open arbitrages to Europe, benefiting the company's market position.
Negative Factors
Earnings Growth Limitations
There is potential for stabilization-to-downside from here given bullishness reflected in the stock and limited underlying earnings growth.
Market Valuation
The current valuation implies an historically strong refining outlook that is difficult to justify, even accounting for improved capture rates.
Profitability Challenges
Renewable Diesel segment faces challenges with rising feedstock costs and softer credit values, impacting profitability.

Valero Energy (VLO) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Valero Energy Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionValero Energy Corporation is a global manufacturer and marketer of transportation fuels and petrochemical products. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, the company operates 15 refineries with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3.2 million barrels per day, making it one of the largest independent refiners in the world. Valero also produces renewable diesel and ethanol, contributing to its portfolio of clean energy solutions. The company serves various markets, including retail, commercial, and industrial sectors, primarily in the United States and Canada.
How the Company Makes MoneyValero Energy generates revenue primarily through the refining of crude oil into petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. The company operates on a margin-based model where it purchases crude oil and other feedstocks and sells the refined products at higher prices. Key revenue streams include sales of refined petroleum products, renewable fuels, and petrochemicals. Additionally, Valero benefits from its extensive network of retail convenience stores and fuel stations, which provide a direct consumer channel. The company also engages in strategic partnerships, including collaborations with renewable energy ventures, which enhance its product offerings and contribute to its earnings. Market factors such as crude oil prices, refining margins, and demand for gasoline and diesel significantly influence Valero's financial performance.

Valero Energy Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Refining Operating Income by Geography
Refining Operating Income by Geography
Highlights the profitability of refining operations in different regions, indicating where Valero Energy is most efficient and where it might face challenges or opportunities due to regional market dynamics.
Chart InsightsValero Energy's refining operating income has shown significant volatility across regions. The US Gulf Coast, after peaking in 2022, is experiencing a notable decline, suggesting potential challenges in maintaining high margins. The US Mid Continent and North Atlantic regions have stabilized but at lower levels than their 2022 highs. The US West Coast, however, faces a concerning downturn, with recent quarters showing negative income, indicating operational or market challenges. Investors should monitor these regional shifts, as they may impact Valero's overall profitability and strategic focus.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Valero Energy Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 24, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Oct 23, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call revealed strong operational performance and a commitment to shareholder returns, highlighted by record refining throughput and strategic debt management. However, there were notable challenges such as a decline in net income and losses in the Renewable Diesel segment.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Refining Throughput
Valero set a record for refining throughput rate in the U.S. Gulf Coast region in Q2 2025, demonstrating benefits from growth and optimization projects.
Strong Operational Performance
Refining margins were supported by strong product demand and low global product inventories, with diesel sales volumes up approximately 10% year-over-year.
Shareholder Returns
Valero honored its commitment to shareholder returns with a payout ratio of 52% in Q2 2025 and announced a quarterly cash dividend of $1.13 per share.
Debt Management
Valero repaid $251 million of senior notes, maintained a strong balance sheet with $8.4 billion of total debt, and ended the quarter with a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 19%.
Negative Updates
Net Income Decline
Net income attributable to Valero stockholders was $714 million or $2.28 per share in Q2 2025, down from $880 million or $2.71 per share in Q2 2024.
Renewable Diesel Segment Loss
The Renewable Diesel segment reported an operating loss of $79 million in Q2 2025 compared to operating income of $112 million in Q2 2024.
Ethanol Segment Performance
The Ethanol segment reported $54 million of operating income in Q2 2025, down from $105 million in Q2 2024.
Company Guidance
During Valero Energy Corp.'s Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, several key metrics and guidance were provided. The company reported a net income of $714 million, or $2.28 per share, with a refining segment operating income of $1.3 billion. Refining throughput volumes averaged 2.9 million barrels per day, achieving a 92% capacity utilization. The Renewable Diesel segment faced an operating loss of $79 million, while the Ethanol segment reported $54 million in operating income. Valero maintained a payout ratio of 52% for the quarter and declared a dividend of $1.13 per share. Capital investments for the quarter stood at $407 million, with $371 million dedicated to sustaining the business. Looking ahead, Valero expects third-quarter refining throughput volumes to range across its regions, with refining cash operating expenses projected at $4.80 per barrel. The company anticipates continued strong demand for diesel, while gasoline demand remains flat, and expects sour crude oil differentials to widen due to increased production from OPEC+ and Canada.

Valero Energy Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Valero Energy demonstrates resilience in its financial performance with strong operational efficiency and cash flow generation, despite revenue fluctuations. The high leverage poses a potential risk, but a solid equity base provides stability. Overall, the company is well-positioned within the Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing industry but must manage its leverage to mitigate financial risks.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Valero Energy's revenue has shown volatility, with a recent decline in TTM compared to previous years. However, the company maintains a respectable gross profit margin of 2.54% and a net profit margin of 0.62% in TTM. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are relatively stable, indicating operational efficiency. Despite recent revenue fluctuations, the company shows resilience in maintaining profitability.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
Valero Energy's balance sheet reveals a high debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, indicating significant leverage. The return on equity (ROE) is modest at 3.17%, reflecting moderate profitability for equity holders. The equity ratio is a solid 19.94%, showcasing a strong asset base against liabilities. While leverage is a concern, the company maintains a stable equity position.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
The company's cash flow statement shows strong free cash flow generation with a recent growth rate of -35.23% in TTM, reflecting challenges in maintaining previous cash flow levels. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is robust at 5.57, indicating efficient cash generation relative to net income. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio highlights some constraints in fully translating earnings to free cash flow.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue123.78B129.88B144.77B176.38B113.98B64.91B
Gross Profit3.08B4.76B12.89B16.75B3.08B-788.00M
EBITDA4.28B7.03B14.66B18.34B4.55B904.00M
Net Income764.00M2.77B8.84B11.53B930.00M-1.43B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets59.43B60.14B63.06B60.98B57.89B51.77B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments4.54B4.66B5.42B4.86B4.12B3.31B
Total Debt10.65B11.54B12.64B12.72B15.13B15.85B
Total Liabilities32.49B32.62B34.53B35.51B38.07B32.13B
Stockholders Equity24.08B24.51B26.35B23.56B18.43B18.80B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow3.74B5.78B8.32B10.89B4.19B-840.00M
Operating Cash Flow4.25B6.68B9.23B12.57B5.86B948.00M
Investing Cash Flow-2.00B-1.98B-1.86B-2.81B-2.16B-2.42B
Financing Cash Flow-3.09B-5.05B-6.94B-8.85B-2.85B2.08B

Valero Energy Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price154.28
Price Trends
50DMA
141.55
Positive
100DMA
132.34
Positive
200DMA
130.42
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
4.05
Negative
RSI
75.41
Negative
STOCH
91.39
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For VLO, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 154.28 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 141.59, above the 50-day MA of 141.55, and above the 200-day MA of 130.42, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 4.05 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 75.41 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 91.39 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for VLO.

Valero Energy Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (66)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
$9.52B35.13-0.93%3.84%-14.58%-107.50%
73
Outperform
$47.22B63.973.07%2.89%-11.72%-86.21%
70
Outperform
$53.98B32.216.00%3.51%-12.80%-64.40%
66
Neutral
$8.00B25.696.62%6.92%-8.65%-73.25%
66
Neutral
$15.43B7.323.20%5.24%4.22%-60.66%
65
Neutral
$54.64B26.6211.24%2.02%-10.03%-64.63%
51
Neutral
$3.16B―-17.30%3.86%-18.73%-236.79%
* Energy Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
VLO
Valero Energy
154.28
19.09
14.12%
DINO
HF Sinclair Corporation
51.57
6.59
14.65%
MPC
Marathon Petroleum
179.00
11.10
6.61%
PSX
Phillips 66
133.84
6.38
5.01%
PBF
PBF Energy
28.48
-3.10
-9.82%
SUN
Sunoco
51.60
2.41
4.90%

Valero Energy Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Valero Energy Holds Annual Stockholders’ Meeting
Neutral
May 9, 2025

On May 6, 2025, Valero Energy Corporation held its annual stockholders’ meeting where director Robert A. Profusek retired in line with the company’s retirement policy. During the meeting, all director nominees were successfully elected to serve until the 2026 annual meeting, and key proposals, including executive compensation and the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent accounting firm, were approved. Additionally, Valero entered into a Stock Unit Award Agreement with its re-elected non-employee directors, granting stock units valued at $200,000 each, which will vest at the 2026 annual meeting, reflecting the company’s commitment to aligning director compensation with shareholder interests.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 28, 2025