Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Issues Earnings Results

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) released its earnings results on Thursday. The oil and gas company reported $4.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.70 by $1.52, Zacks reports. The firm had revenue of $32.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $31.04 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 12.35% and a net margin of 1.91%.The company’s revenue was up 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.89 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from Valero Energy’s conference call:

• Valero delivered a strong Q1 with net income attributable to stockholders of $1.3 billion ($4.22/share) and $1.8 billion of refining operating income, reversing last year’s loss across the business segments.
• Management emphasized operational flexibility—an advantaged Gulf Coast slate that can run discounted heavy sour crudes and a record monthly jet yield in March—which, together with tight global product inventories, should support margins.
• A March Port Arthur fire damaged the diesel hydrotreater (and affected an adjacent kerosene unit), leading to reduced rates, uncertain repair timing, and potential incremental 2026 capex (expected to be insured subject to deductibles) that could weigh on near‑term capture rates.
• Financial strength and shareholder returns remain priorities—Valero opportunistically issued $850 million of 10‑year notes, ended the quarter with $5.7 billion cash (net debt-to-cap ~18%), raised the dividend 6%, and returned $938 million to shareholders in Q1.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:VLO traded up $1.48 during trading on Thursday, hitting $252.78. 3,529,214 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,874,924. Valero Energy has a 1-year low of $114.30 and a 1-year high of $258.43. The company has a market capitalization of $75.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 0.62. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $232.26 and its 200-day simple moving average is $196.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.64.

Insider Buying and Selling at Valero Energy

In related news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 400 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $238.60, for a total transaction of $95,440.00. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valero Energy

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Virtu Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $342,000. Compound Planning Inc. lifted its position in shares of Valero Energy by 105.7% during the 4th quarter. Compound Planning Inc. now owns 12,047 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $1,961,000 after buying an additional 6,189 shares during the period. Corient Private Wealth LLC lifted its position in shares of Valero Energy by 23.7% during the 4th quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 275,537 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $44,855,000 after buying an additional 52,797 shares during the period. Alberta Investment Management Corp bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $5,046,000. Finally, Ameriflex Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Valero Energy by 254.2% during the 4th quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 1,594 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $259,000 after buying an additional 1,144 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have issued reports on VLO. Piper Sandler raised their target price on Valero Energy from $236.00 to $263.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 8th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Valero Energy from $220.00 to $292.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. Wall Street Zen raised Valero Energy from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, April 4th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Valero Energy from $215.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, April 2nd. Finally, Raymond James Financial lifted their price objective on Valero Energy from $215.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 25th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Valero Energy has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $235.94.

Valero Energy News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Valero reported a big Q1 earnings beat — $4.22 EPS versus consensus well below — driven by higher margins and a rebound from loss a year ago; that surprise is the primary catalyst for buyer interest. Valero Energy beats estimates for first-quarter profit
• Positive Sentiment: Management said it will run its 13 U.S. and U.K. refineries up to ~95% of combined throughput capacity in Q2 (≈3.0M bpd), signaling stronger utilization and higher revenue potential. Valero to run refineries up to 95% of capacity in Q2 2026, conf call
• Positive Sentiment: Refining and renewable diesel margins surged in the quarter — a key profitability driver cited by analysts and in company commentary — which amplified the EPS beat and revenue upside. Valero Q1 Earnings Top Estimates on Stronger Refining Margins
• Positive Sentiment: Some analysts have lifted FY2026/FY2027 EPS forecasts for Valero after the results, supporting higher forward expectations and contributing to buying interest. Valero earnings / analyst notes
• Neutral Sentiment: Valero has been appearing on investor “best growth” lists and pre-earnings positioning lifted activity ahead of results, which can magnify short-term moves but is not a fundamental change. QuiverQuant: Valero Energy rises as refining margins stay elevated
• Negative Sentiment: Sector-level geopolitical risks (Iran, Venezuela) and commentary suggesting big-oil earnings could face headwinds introduce downside risk to future quarters — volatility in crude/fuel spreads could reverse margin tailwinds. Big Oil Earnings Set To Sharply Decline. Blame This Tug-Of-War.
• Negative Sentiment: Notable insider sales and large institutional rebalancing were flagged in recent data — these flows can create selling pressure even amid good results. QuiverQuant: insider & institutional activity

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.