Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Stock Price Crosses Above 50-Day Moving Average – Here’s Why

Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO)’s share price passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $397.64 and traded as high as $400.60. Valero Energy shares last traded at $400.04, with a volume of 4,224,597 shares traded.

Valero Energy News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Houston acquisition expands Valero’s refining footprint: Valero agreed to acquire LyondellBasell’s former Houston Refinery site and related assets for $320.5 million. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026 and includes the assumption of site operations, environmental liabilities, pension costs and related employee obligations. The deal could provide strategic infrastructure and operational growth in a major refining market. Valero to Acquire Former Houston Refinery from LyondellBasell
• Positive Sentiment: Large buyback authorization supports the stock: Valero reportedly authorized up to $10 billion in share repurchases after a strong quarter, increasing its ability to return excess cash to shareholders and potentially support per-share earnings. Valero authorizes USD 10.0 billion buyback
• Positive Sentiment: Exceptional quarterly profitability remains a catalyst: Valero generated $6.8 billion of third-quarter net income, while management allocated $1.7 billion of 2026 capital guidance to sustaining operations. Strong cash generation and refining margins reinforce the company’s capacity for shareholder returns. Valero: 3 Key Takeaways for Long-Term Investors
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst valuation views improved but remain mixed: A consolidated fair-value estimate reportedly increased to $426.42 from $401.53, while some analysts remain cautious after the stock’s significant multiyear gains. Another analysis argues that Valero may still be undervalued on current earnings. Valero Energy Stock Sees Fair Value Lift
• Negative Sentiment: Put-option activity signals hedging or bearish positioning: Traders bought approximately 16,660 VLO put options, about 41% above average volume. This may reflect increased concern about downside risk following the stock’s strong run.
• Negative Sentiment: Sector-wide profit-taking risk persists: Commentary argued that investors should consider selling refiners after an exceptionally strong year, suggesting concerns that refining margins and share prices may have peaked. It’s Time to Sell the Refiners

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Bank of America upped their price target on Valero Energy from $395.00 to $414.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. Mizuho raised their price objective on Valero Energy from $300.00 to $434.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 8th. Zacks Research raised shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. UBS Group reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $467.00 price target on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Tuesday, October 6th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their target price on Valero Energy from $485.00 to $490.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, October 23rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $379.94.

Valero Energy Trading Up 4.0%

The company has a market cap of $115.18 billion, a PE ratio of 9.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a 50-day moving average of $397.64 and a 200 day moving average of $285.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a current ratio of 1.72 and a quick ratio of 1.23.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 22nd. The oil and gas company reported $23.90 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $21.17 by $2.73. Valero Energy had a net margin of 8.44% and a return on equity of 45.90%. The firm had revenue of $46.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $42.71 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.66 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 43.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 57.42 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 21st. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 24th will be paid a $1.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 24th. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 10.80%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valero Energy

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of VLO. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at $109,000. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC lifted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 7.4% during the third quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 8,243 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $3,456,000 after acquiring an additional 571 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd raised its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 106.9% during the third quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 422 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $164,000 after buying an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC bought a new stake in Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at about $275,000. Finally, Investment Insight Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $278,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.