Citigroup Boosts Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Price Target to $259.00

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) had its price objective upped by research analysts at Citigroup from $246.00 to $259.00 in a report released on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a “neutral” rating on the oil and gas company’s stock. Citigroup’s target price indicates a potential upside of 4.81% from the company’s previous close.

A number of other brokerages also recently weighed in on VLO. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $184.00 to $261.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 8th. Zacks Research raised shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Argus raised shares of Valero Energy to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $220.00 to $292.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 31st. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $247.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $236.71.

Valero Energy Trading Down 2.2%

Shares of NYSE:VLO traded down $5.46 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $247.12. 1,932,132 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,717,021. Valero Energy has a twelve month low of $114.76 and a twelve month high of $258.43. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $232.26 and its 200-day moving average price is $196.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.35, a PEG ratio of 0.41 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.64.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The oil and gas company reported $4.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.16 by $1.06. Valero Energy had a net margin of 1.91% and a return on equity of 12.35%. The business had revenue of $32.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.38 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.89 earnings per share. Valero Energy’s quarterly revenue was up 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Valero Energy will post 23.04 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Valero Energy

In other Valero Energy news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 400 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $238.60, for a total value of $95,440.00. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.36% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valero Energy

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Whipplewood Advisors LLC grew its position in Valero Energy by 3,400.0% in the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 105 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Financial Life Planners bought a new stake in Valero Energy in the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Valero Energy by 134.0% in the 1st quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 117 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Torren Management LLC bought a new stake in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Valero Energy News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 earnings and revenue beat — Valero reported $4.22 EPS and $32.38B revenue, a sharp rebound from a loss a year earlier as refining and renewable diesel margins surged; the print topped Street estimates and was accompanied by a positive press release. Valero Energy Reports First Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Operational strength — Valero plans to run its 13 refineries in the U.S. and U.K. at up to 95% of combined throughput (~3.0M bpd) in Q2, supporting margin capture and free cash flow potential. Valero to run refineries up to 95% capacity in Q2 2026, conf call
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst revisions — Erste Group lifted FY2026 and FY2027 EPS forecasts materially, reflecting the stronger margin outlook and boosting earnings estimates. (Analyst note summarized in coverage)
• Neutral Sentiment: Long-term value view — Zacks highlights Valero as a top value stock for long-term investors based on style scores; useful for buy-and-hold thesis but less relevant to intra-day moves. Why Valero Energy (VLO) is a Top Value Stock for the Long-Term
• Negative Sentiment: Sector headwinds and macro uncertainty — Broader “Big Oil” commentary warns of a tug-of-war (geopolitical news, margins volatility) that could keep energy stocks volatile and cap multiple expansion despite Valero’s beat. Big Oil Earnings Set To Sharply Decline. Blame This Tug-Of-War.
• Negative Sentiment: Near-term profit-taking risk — After a significant run toward a 52-week high, traders may be trimming positions, contributing to the pullback despite strong fundamentals. (Market technical/flow effect)

Valero Energy Company Profile

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.