Citigroup Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Stock

Key Points

• Citigroup raised its Valero Energy price target from $302 to $485 while maintaining a neutral rating, implying approximately 6.2% upside from the stock’s current price.
• Analyst sentiment is generally positive, with Valero holding a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $376.62, although ratings range from Strong Buy to Sell.
• Valero shares rose 4.7% to $456.63 and are near their 52-week high after the company reported quarterly earnings of $12.54 per share, exceeding estimates by $2.43, alongside 48.8% year-over-year revenue growth.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by equities researchers at Citigroup from $302.00 to $485.00 in a note issued to investors on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a "neutral" rating on the oil and gas company's stock. Citigroup's target price indicates a potential upside of 6.21% from the stock's current price.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the company. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on Valero Energy from $365.00 to $457.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $255.00 to $411.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, September 14th. Erste Group Bank lowered Valero Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 27th. Bank of America upped their price target on Valero Energy from $395.00 to $414.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. Finally, Raymond James Financial raised their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $350.00 to $450.00 and gave the company a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, September 14th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $376.62.

Valero Energy Trading Up 4.7%

NYSE:VLO traded up $20.63 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $456.63. 2,511,326 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,332,816. The company has a current ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. Valero Energy has a fifty-two week low of $155.29 and a fifty-two week high of $457.20. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $371.24 and a 200-day simple moving average of $298.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $131.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.95, a PEG ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 0.59.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The oil and gas company reported $12.54 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $10.11 by $2.43. The business had revenue of $44.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $39.47 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 26.74% and a net margin of 5.17%. The firm's revenue was up 48.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.28 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that Valero Energy will post 51.31 earnings per share for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valero Energy

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC lifted its stake in Valero Energy by 57.6% in the second quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC now owns 104 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC grew its position in Valero Energy by 3,400.0% in the first quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 105 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Financial Life Planners acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 1st quarter worth $28,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 134.0% during 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 during the last quarter. Finally, Global Assets Advisory LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 1st quarter worth $33,000. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Valero Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: An Elliott Wave analysis sees Valero’s current advance continuing in a potential fifth wave, with a projected target range of $453.70 to $479.80. The upper end implies additional upside and reinforces the bullish technical momentum. Valero Energy Elliott Wave outlook
• Positive Sentiment: A Seeking Alpha contributor named Valero a top pick for 2027, arguing that continued disruption around the Strait of Hormuz could tighten energy markets and support refinery economics. The thesis is bullish but depends on geopolitical conditions persisting. Valero Energy top pick for 2027
• Positive Sentiment: Valero was added to Zacks’ Rank #1 “Strong Buy” growth-stock list. The designation can attract momentum-oriented investors and supports the broader bullish sentiment around the shares. Zacks Best Growth Stocks to Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: DBS maintained a Hold rating on Valero, indicating that the firm does not see a sufficiently strong risk-reward change to recommend buying or selling at this time. DBS Valero Hold rating
• Negative Sentiment: Mizuho raised its price target for Valero to $434, but that target is below the stock’s recent trading level. Although the increase is constructive, the valuation gap may limit the near-term impact of the upgrade. Mizuho raises Valero price target

About Valero Energy

Valero Energy Corporation is an international petroleum refining, renewable fuels and marketing company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 1980, the company processes crude oil and other feedstocks into transportation fuels and other products used by commercial, industrial and consumer customers.

Valero's refined products include gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt, lubricants and petrochemical feedstocks. The company also produces and markets ethanol and renewable diesel, including through its Diamond Green Diesel joint venture with Darling Ingredients.

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