Here are two stocks with buy rank and strong value characteristics for investors to consider today, August 17th:  

Valero Energy (VLO Quick QuoteVLO - Free Report) : This company, which is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products, carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 38.5% over the last 60 days.

Valero Energy Corporation Price and Consensus

Valero Energy Corporation price-consensus-chart | Valero Energy Corporation Quote

Valero Energy has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 8.41 compared with 12.60 for the industry. The company possesses a Value Score of A.

Valero Energy Corporation PE Ratio (TTM)

Valero Energy Corporation pe-ratio-ttm | Valero Energy Corporation Quote

Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK Quick QuoteSBLK - Free Report) : This global shipping company, which provides worldwide seaborne transportation solutions in the dry bulk sector, carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 14.6% over the last 60 days.

Star Bulk Carriers Corp. Price and Consensus

Star Bulk Carriers Corp. price-consensus-chart | Star Bulk Carriers Corp. Quote

Star Bulk Carriers has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 6.50 compared with 14.80 for the industry. The company possesses a Value Score of B.

Star Bulk Carriers Corp. PE Ratio (TTM)

Star Bulk Carriers Corp. pe-ratio-ttm | Star Bulk Carriers Corp. Quote

See the full list of top ranked stocks here.

Learn more about the Value score and how it is calculated here.