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Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?
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A strong stock as of late has been Valero Energy (VLO - Free Report) . Shares have been marching higher, with the stock up 16.7% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $362.79 in the previous session. Valero Energy has gained 120.5% since the start of the year compared to the 30.7% move for the Zacks Oils-Energy sector and the 116.2% return for the Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry.
What's Driving the Outperformance?
The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on July 30, 2026, Valero Energy reported EPS of $12.54 versus consensus estimate of $9.87.
For the current fiscal year, Valero Energy is expected to post earnings of $40.7 per share on $146.63 in revenues. This represents a 283.6% change in EPS on a 19.52% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $29.53 per share on $137.83 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -27.44% and -6%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Valero Energy may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company is due for a pullback from this level.
On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). The individual style scores for Value, Growth, Momentum and the combined VGM Score run from A through F. Investors should consider the style scores a valuable tool that can help you to pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
Valero Energy has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 8.8X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 8.8X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 16.6X versus its peer group's average of 11.3X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 0.41. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
Zacks Rank
We also need to consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Valero Energy currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.
Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Valero Energy fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Valero Energy shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.
How Does VLO Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of VLO have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC - Free Report) . MPC has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of B.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Marathon Petroleum Corporation beat our consensus estimate by 22.11%, and for the current fiscal year, MPC is expected to post earnings of $46.66 per share on revenue of $156.14 billion.
Shares of Marathon Petroleum Corporation have gained 21.6% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 8X and a P/CF of 17.09X.
The Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry is in the top 9% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for VLO and MPC, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.
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Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?
A strong stock as of late has been Valero Energy (VLO - Free Report) . Shares have been marching higher, with the stock up 16.7% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $362.79 in the previous session. Valero Energy has gained 120.5% since the start of the year compared to the 30.7% move for the Zacks Oils-Energy sector and the 116.2% return for the Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry.
What's Driving the Outperformance?
The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on July 30, 2026, Valero Energy reported EPS of $12.54 versus consensus estimate of $9.87.
For the current fiscal year, Valero Energy is expected to post earnings of $40.7 per share on $146.63 in revenues. This represents a 283.6% change in EPS on a 19.52% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $29.53 per share on $137.83 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -27.44% and -6%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Valero Energy may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company is due for a pullback from this level.
On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). The individual style scores for Value, Growth, Momentum and the combined VGM Score run from A through F. Investors should consider the style scores a valuable tool that can help you to pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
Valero Energy has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 8.8X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 8.8X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 16.6X versus its peer group's average of 11.3X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 0.41. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
Zacks Rank
We also need to consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Valero Energy currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.
Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Valero Energy fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Valero Energy shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.
How Does VLO Stack Up to the Competition?
Shares of VLO have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC - Free Report) . MPC has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of B.
Earnings were strong last quarter. Marathon Petroleum Corporation beat our consensus estimate by 22.11%, and for the current fiscal year, MPC is expected to post earnings of $46.66 per share on revenue of $156.14 billion.
Shares of Marathon Petroleum Corporation have gained 21.6% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 8X and a P/CF of 17.09X.
The Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry is in the top 9% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for VLO and MPC, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.