Valero Energy CorporationNYSE: VLO
Energy · Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing
$247.40
-2.05%
Vol: 2.0M
Research Digest
Friday, May 1, 2026
Valero Q1 swings to $1.3B profit on strong refining margins; beats by $1.06/share, 6% dividend increase.
Valero Energy Q1 2026 net income $1.3B ($4.22 EPS) vs net loss $595M Q1 2025, beating analyst estimates of $3.07 EPS. Revenue $32.38B, exceeding $31.37B consensus and rising 7% YoY. Increased quarterly dividend 6% to $1.20 per share January 22, 2026, with shareholder cash returns of $938M Q1 (59% payout ratio). Ended Q1 with $9.2B total debt, $5.7B cash. Citi raised PT to $259 from $246 maintaining Neutral.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysApr 30Valero Energy reports strong Q1 2026 with $1.3B net income and $4.22 EPS, raises dividend 6%.Positive▶
Valero Energy reported excellent Q1 2026 results on April 29 with net income of $1.3 billion and EPS of $4.22 (vs. net loss of $595 million and -$1.90 EPS in Q1 2025). Refining segment generated $1.8 billion operating income on 2.9 million barrels per day throughput. The company raised its quarterly dividend 6% from $1.13 to $1.20 per share. Stockholder cash returns totaled $938 million (59% payout ratio). Total debt is $9.2 billion with $5.7 billion in cash. A $230 million FCC optimization project at St. Charles refinery is expected to start operations in Q3 2026. Zacks reports VLO beat Q1 earnings and revenue estimates.
Apr 16Valero restarting Port Arthur refinery post-explosion; faces litigationMixed▶
Valero Energy restarted its 380k barrel/day Port Arthur, Texas refinery following April 13 explosion and worker injuries. Facing litigation over workplace safety claims and gross negligence allegations from refinery incident. Ardmore, Oklahoma facility also impacted. Q1 2026 earnings call April 30. Analysts project 213.5% EPS growth despite operational challenges, with Citi raising price target to $246 (Neutral rating).
Apr 15Port Arthur refinery blast shutdown reduces crude intake; Q1 earnings scheduled April 30.Mixed▶
Valero Energy suffered a major operational setback in early April 2026 when an explosion and fire at its Port Arthur, Texas refinery destroyed critical infrastructure and forced an extended shutdown. The company will report Q1 2026 earnings on April 30 with analysts projecting a 213.5% year-over-year EPS increase. In March, Valero completed its first marine SAF shipment to Europe. Shares are up 52% year-to-date with a Moderate Buy consensus.
Apr 14Valero Energy struggles with Port Arthur refinery shutdown following major explosion; analysts raise price targets despite setback.Mixed▶
Valero faces significant operational challenge after explosion destroyed a diesel hydrotreater at Port Arthur refinery, forcing extended shutdown. Despite this, Barclays raised target to $261, Wells Fargo to $292, UBS to $280, Goldman Sachs to $237. Wall Street Zen upgraded to Strong Buy. Erste Group forecasts 2026 EPS of $17.71. Q1 results due April 30.
Apr 13Valero Energy Port Arthur refinery explosion forces extended shutdown; Q1 earnings April 30 with 213% EPS growth expected.Mixed▶
Valero Energy experienced a major operational setback when an explosion at its Port Arthur, Texas refinery destroyed a diesel hydrotreater and key control room, forcing extended shutdown. Despite operational challenges, analyst estimates remain bullish: Q1 EPS expected $2.79 (213.48% increase YoY). Barclays maintains Overweight with price target raised to $261. Piper Sandler raised target to $263. Q1 earnings call April 30.
Apr 10Valero raised FY2026 EPS forecast to $17.71; Q1 earnings April 30 projected at 213.5% YoY EPS growth.Positive▶
Valero Energy announced Q1 2026 earnings April 30, 2026 with analyst EPS projection of 213.5% YoY growth. Erste Group Bank raised FY2026 EPS estimate to $17.71 from $14.41. Company benefiting from elevated refining margins. However, Valero faces litigation after March 23 explosion and fire at Port Arthur, Texas refinery. Plans to cease refining operations at Benicia Refinery in April 2026.
Apr 9Valero Energy completed first SAF shipment to Europe; Barclays raises PT to $261Positive▶
Valero Energy completed its first marine shipment of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Europe in March 2026 while managing strategic California refinery closures. Barclays raised its price target to $261 (from $184) with an Overweight rating, reflecting strong analyst optimism. The company increased its quarterly dividend by 6% to $1.20/share in January. VLO stock is up 52% year-to-date with Q1 2026 earnings scheduled for April 30.
Apr 8Valero Energy Faces Refinery Challenges but BMO Raises Target to $270Mixed▶
Energy sector benefited from Nicolas Maduro extradition rally. BMO Capital raised price target to $270. However, company grapples with refinery explosion lawsuit at Port Arthur Texas facility. Mixed analyst sentiment with some maintaining Hold.
Apr 7Valero Energy surges 45% YTD on strong refining margins; Board raises dividend to $1.20Positive▶
Valero Energy posted strong quarterly results with EPS of $3.82 vs $3.11 forecast (22.83% beat) and revenue $30.37B vs $29.03B expected. Board raised regular quarterly dividend from $1.13 to $1.20 per share. Jet fuel markets remain very tight with highest yields in recent periods. Stock up 45% YTD on strong refining margins and efficiency. BMO raised price target to $270 from $230. Analysts expect 213.48% YoY EPS growth for next earnings April 30. Stock trading near all-time highs at $244-254. UBS maintains Buy rating.
Apr 6Valero Energy surges 45% YTD on strong margins; Port Arthur refinery restarting after explosionMixed▶
Valero Energy demonstrated strong recent performance with a 45% year-to-date surge and 90.18% total shareholder return over the past year on strong refining margins and operational efficiency. Analysts forecast a 213.48% year-over-year EPS increase for upcoming April 30, 2026 earnings. However, recent explosion and fire at Port Arthur, Texas refinery caused partial unit downtime; restart began two days after the incident. The company raised its quarterly dividend. Conflicting valuation assessments and operational risks including refinery issues and geopolitical tensions create a complex outlook. Consensus analyst rating is "Buy".
Apr 3Valero raises quarterly dividend 6% to $1.20, completes first European SAF shipment, and stock trades near all-time high.Positive▶
Valero completed its first marine shipment of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Europe in March 2026. Company raised quarterly dividend 6% to $1.20/share. CEO Lane Riggs is executing a strategy combining traditional refining with renewable diesel/SAF market leadership. Stock near all-time highs around $250 with Raymond James targeting $290.
Apr 2Valero surged 40% in 2026 as refining margins soared; UBS raised PT to $280 and Raymond James to $290.Positive▶
Valero Energy has surged over 40% in 2026 amid soaring oil prices and refining margins, reaching an all-time high of $254.68. UBS Group increased price target from $215 to $280, and Raymond James raised from $215 to $290 with Strong-Buy rating. The company reported Q4 2025 net income of $1.1B ($3.73/share) with full-year net income of $2.3B ($7.57/share), and increased quarterly dividend 6% to $1.20/share. However, the company faces a worker lawsuit alleging negligence over the Port Arthur refinery explosion.
Apr 1Valero surges 40% in 2026 on refining margins; board raises dividend 6.2% to $1.20/share; Port Arthur refinery lawsuit filed.Positive▶
Valero Energy has surged over 40% YTD 2026 on soaring oil prices and refining margins. Q4 2025 net income reached $1.1B. Board increased quarterly dividend to $1.20/share. A negligence lawsuit was filed following the March 23 Port Arthur refinery explosion. BofA raised target to $247.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VLOVALERO | $247.40 | -2.05% | +2.9% | 13.7x | 0.61 | $75.5B |
| MPCMARATHON | $246.97 | -0.53% | +2.9% | 12.1x | 0.58 | $73.1B |
| PSXPHILLIPS | $176.72 | -1.36% | +1.0% | 11.4x | — | $71.8B |
| XOMEXXON | $153.41 | -0.60% | -5.5% | 15.2x | 0.29 | $641.5B |
| CVXCHEVRON | $190.83 | -1.28% | -2.8% | 16.5x | 0.59 | $385.1B |
| COPCONOCOPHILLIPS | $123.50 | -1.81% | -4.5% | 14.8x | 0.19 | $153.3B |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price above both MAs — bullish structure.