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

Key Points

• Citigroup raised its price target on Valero to $259 (from $246) while keeping a "neutral" rating, implying roughly a 4.8% upside from the prior close.
• Valero reported a strong Q1 beat—EPS $4.22 vs. $3.16 expected and $32.38B revenue—and plans to run refineries up to 95% capacity in Q2, supporting margins and free cash flow.
• Analyst consensus is a Moderate Buy with an average target of $236.71, though broker views vary (Barclays $261 overweight; a mix of Strong Buy/Buy/Hold/Sell), and the stock is trading near its 52‑week high with short‑term profit‑taking and macro volatility risks.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) had its target price upped by research analysts at Citigroup from $246.00 to $259.00 in a research note issued on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a "neutral" rating on the oil and gas company's stock. Citigroup's target price would indicate a potential upside of 4.81% from the company's previous close.

A number of other brokerages have also issued reports on VLO. Argus upgraded shares of Valero Energy to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $182.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, April 4th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $184.00 to $261.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 8th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $236.71.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:VLO traded down $5.46 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. The company has a fifty day moving average of $232.26 and a 200-day moving average of $196.27. Valero Energy has a twelve month low of $114.76 and a twelve month high of $258.43. The company 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 current ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The oil and gas company reported $4.22 earnings per share (EPS) 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 firm had revenue of $32.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $31.38 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.89 EPS. The business's revenue was up 7.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Valero Energy will post 23.04 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Valero Energy news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 400 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.36% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Valero Energy

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Whipplewood Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 3,400.0% during the first 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 during the period. Financial Life Planners acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the first quarter worth $28,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 134.0% during the first 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 period. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the third quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Torren Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Key Stories Impacting Valero Energy

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)

About Valero Energy

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.

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