Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Stock Rating Upgraded by Zacks Research

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a note issued to investors on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on VLO. Citigroup upped their price objective on Valero Energy from $259.00 to $302.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Raymond James Financial lifted their target price on Valero Energy from $300.00 to $340.00 and gave the company a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Weiss Ratings raised Valero Energy from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on Valero Energy from $230.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, April 6th. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price target on Valero Energy from $338.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $288.00.

Valero Energy Stock Down 2.1%

Shares of NYSE:VLO opened at $302.10 on Tuesday. Valero Energy has a 1-year low of $130.78 and a 1-year high of $320.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.23. The stock has a market cap of $89.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.54, a P/E/G ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 0.55. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $274.40 and a 200 day moving average price of $241.68.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The oil and gas company reported $12.54 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $10.11 by $2.43. Valero Energy had a net margin of 5.17% and a return on equity of 26.74%. The company had revenue of $44.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $39.47 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.28 earnings per share. Valero Energy’s quarterly revenue was up 48.8% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Valero Energy will post 39.19 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Valero Energy news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 7,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $268.17, for a total transaction of $2,011,275.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 19,742 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,294,212.14. This represents a 27.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Valero Energy

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of VLO. Whipplewood Advisors LLC grew its stake in Valero Energy by 3,400.0% in the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 105 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Financial Life Planners acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Valero Energy by 134.0% in the 1st quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 117 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Torren Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Valero Energy News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks upgraded Valero to Rank #1, or “Strong Buy.” The upgrade reflects improving expectations for Valero’s earnings and could support additional near-term buying interest. The stock was also added to Zacks’ strong-buy lists for growth, value and income investors. All You Need to Know About Valero Energy Rating Upgrade to Strong Buy
• Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen raised its price target to $350. The higher target implies continued confidence in Valero’s earnings outlook and refining-market performance. TD Cowen Boosts Valero Energy Price Target
• Positive Sentiment: Valero’s second-quarter results showed broad-based strength. Stronger refining, renewable diesel and ethanol profits boosted earnings and cash flow. The company reported $12.54 in EPS, substantially above the $10.11 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 48.8% year over year to $44.48 billion. How Valero’s Q2 Refining and Renewable Diesel Surge Reshapes 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst views remain mixed. Mizuho lifted its price target from $289 to $300 but retained a neutral rating, while TD Cowen continued to rate the shares Hold. These ratings suggest the stock’s strong run may already reflect much of the positive outlook. TD Cowen Sticks to Its Hold Rating

About Valero Energy

Valero Energy Corporation is a San Antonio, Texas–based integrated downstream energy company that manufactures and markets transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks and other industrial products. The company’s operations focus on refining crude oil into finished fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, as well as producing asphalt and other refined product streams for commercial and industrial customers.

In addition to refining, Valero has significant operations in renewable fuels, including the production of ethanol and other biofuels, and it manages an extensive logistics network of pipelines, terminals, rail and marine assets to move feedstocks and finished products.