Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) Stock

Valero Energy Corporation trades at a P/E ratio of 26.44, which is above the market average of approximately 20. This premium valuation suggests investors expect above-average growth or the company has competitive advantages justifying the higher multiple. Looking ahead, the forward P/E of 16.10 is lower than the current P/E, indicating analysts expect earnings to grow over the next year. The PEG ratio of 3.60 indicates a premium valuation even accounting for growth.

With a beta of 0.72, Valero Energy Corporation is less volatile than the overall market. This means when the market moves up or down by 10%, this stock typically moves less than 10% in the same direction. Lower beta stocks are often preferred by conservative investors seeking stability. The price-to-book ratio of 2.53 shows investors value the company above its book value, which often reflects intangible assets or growth prospects.

Valero Energy Corporation achieves a profit margin of 1.91%, meaning it retains $1.91 from every $100 in revenue after all expenses. This relatively low margin suggests the company operates in a competitive environment or high-cost industry where profitability is challenging. The operating margin of 5.19% reveals how efficiently the company runs its core business operations before interest and taxes. With ROE at 8.28% and ROA at 3.59%, the company achieves moderate returns on invested capital.

Valero Energy Corporation's revenue grew by 3.90% year-over-year, showing steady progress in growing the business. This positive trajectory indicates the company maintains competitive positioning in its markets. Earnings increased by 319.60% year-over-year, outpacing revenue growth through improved margins. These growth metrics should be evaluated against OIL & GAS REFINING & MARKETING industry averages for proper context.

Valero Energy Corporation offers a dividend yield of 2.30%, paying $4.52 per share annually. This above-average yield of 2-4% provides meaningful income while still allowing the company to reinvest for growth. It compares favorably to the S&P 500 average and offers competitive returns versus bonds in the current rate environment. To receive the next dividend, shares must be purchased before the ex-dividend date of Feb 5, 2026.

The dividend sustainability can be assessed through the payout ratio - Valero Energy Corporation pays $4.52 per share in dividends against earnings of $7.57 per share, resulting in a payout ratio of 59.71%. This balanced payout between 30-60% suggests a sustainable dividend policy that allows both shareholder returns and business reinvestment. The dividend appears well-covered by earnings. The next dividend payment is scheduled for Mar 9, 2026.

Valero Energy Corporation has a market capitalization of $62.2B, classifying it as a large-cap stock ($10B-$200B). Large-caps are typically industry leaders with established business models, offering a balance of stability and growth potential. They often provide dividend income and are core holdings in institutional portfolios. With 305.01M shares outstanding, the company's ownership is relatively concentrated. As a participant in the OIL & GAS REFINING & MARKETING industry, it competes with other firms in this sector.

Valero Energy Corporation's book value per share is $77.88, while the current stock price is $230.46, resulting in a price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 2.96. This reasonable premium to book value suggests the market values the company's earnings power and intangible assets appropriately. Most profitable companies trade between 1-3x book value. As a common stock, this represents equity ownership with voting rights.

19 analysts cover VLO with 58% recommending buy/strong buy ratings. Analyst predictions have mixed reliability - studies show consensus rarely beats market returns consistently. The mixed views reflect uncertainty about the outlook. The consensus target of $198.22 implies -14.0% downside, but targets are often adjusted to follow price moves rather than predict them.

Current analyst recommendations:4 Strong Buy, 7 Buy, 7 Hold, 01 Strong Sell. The bullish tilt suggests optimism about future prospects, though investors should conduct independent research.Remember that analyst opinions often lag price movements and can be influenced by investment banking relationships.