Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Shares Down 2.4% – Here’s Why

Shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) traded down 2.4% during mid-day trading on Thursday. The stock traded as low as $416.41 and last traded at $426.0640. 2,798,807 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 15% from the average daily volume of 3,300,080 shares. The stock had previously closed at $436.75.

Valero Energy News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Valero Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Record quarterly profitability: Valero reported net income of approximately $6.8 billion, or $23.89 per share, compared with $1.1 billion, or $3.53 per share, a year earlier. Adjusted EPS of $23.90 exceeded consensus estimates near $21.17-$21.28, while revenue of $46.10 billion also surpassed expectations. Valero Energy Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Refining strength drove the beat: Higher refining margins, tight inventories and strong operating performance supported the earnings surge. Renewable diesel and ethanol profitability also improved, with ethanol production reaching a record level. Valero kicks off refiner results with record quarterly profit on higher margins
• Positive Sentiment: Cash generation and strategic progress: Robust cash flow and the completion of a key refining upgrade strengthen Valero’s operating position and could support shareholder returns if favorable refining conditions persist. Valero Energy Posts Surging Q3 Profit and Completes Key Refining Upgrade
• Neutral Sentiment: Results are highly cyclical: The exceptional year-over-year improvement reflects refining margins that can change rapidly with fuel demand, crude costs, inventories and geopolitical conditions. Investors will focus on whether current margins remain elevated.
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and analyst caution may be limiting the reaction: TD Cowen raised its price target from $375 to $400 but maintained a “hold” rating; the target remains below the stock’s recent trading level. After a sharp run-up toward its yearly high, investors may be locking in gains despite the earnings beat. TD Cowen raises Valero price target

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VLO has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Valero Energy from $389.00 to $485.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 14th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on Valero Energy from $329.00 to $435.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, September 3rd. Citigroup upped their price objective on Valero Energy from $302.00 to $485.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 13th. UBS Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $467.00 price objective on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Tuesday, October 6th. Finally, Mizuho increased their target price on Valero Energy from $300.00 to $434.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $385.75.

Valero Energy Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The company has a market capitalization of $122.68 billion, a PE ratio of 17.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 0.59. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $391.47 and its 200 day simple moving average is $309.38.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 22nd. The oil and gas company reported $23.90 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $21.17 by $2.73. Valero Energy had a net margin of 5.17% and a return on equity of 26.74%. The business had revenue of $46.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $42.71 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.66 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 43.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Corporation will post 52.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Valero Energy

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 57.6% in the second quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC now owns 104 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the period. Whipplewood Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 3,400.0% during the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 105 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Valero Energy by 134.0% during the 1st quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 117 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the period. Finally, Global Assets Advisory LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Company Profile

Valero Energy Corporation is an international energy company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The company’s primary business is refining and marketing transportation fuels, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other products used by commercial, industrial and consumer customers.

Valero operates refineries in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Its refining operations also produce asphalt, petrochemical feedstocks and other petroleum-based products. The company markets fuel through wholesale channels and branded retail networks, including Valero, Beacon and Shamrock-branded locations.

In addition to conventional refining, Valero has businesses focused on renewable fuels.