Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Stock Price Target Raised at Barclays

Posted by Brian Himes on Oct 7th, 2026

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO – Free Report) had its price target lifted by Barclays from $323.00 to $441.00 in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning,Benzinga reports. Barclays currently has an overweight rating on the oil and gas company’s stock.

Several other research firms have also commented on VLO. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $356.00 to $389.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 1st. TD Cowen raised their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $338.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Valero Energy from $255.00 to $411.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, September 14th. Erste Group Bank lowered Valero Energy from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, August 27th. Finally, Raymond James Financial increased their price target on Valero Energy from $350.00 to $450.00 and gave the stock a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, September 14th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $357.25.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Valero Energy

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of VLO opened at $419.67 on Tuesday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $361.23 and its 200 day moving average price is $292.85. Valero Energy has a 12-month low of $155.29 and a 12-month high of $422.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $120.83 billion, a PE ratio of 17.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.23.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The oil and gas company reported $12.54 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $10.11 by $2.43. The firm had revenue of $44.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $39.47 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 5.17% and a return on equity of 26.74%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 48.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.28 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Valero Energy will post 49.71 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 31st were given a $1.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 31st. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 19.92%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valero Energy

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Valero Energy by 5.5% during the second quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 58,558 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $15,251,000 after buying an additional 3,037 shares during the period. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. increased its position in Valero Energy by 24.1% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 6,454 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $1,681,000 after acquiring an additional 1,255 shares during the period. Security National Bank of SO Dak bought a new stake in Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at $108,000. Bouchey Financial Group Ltd. raised its stake in Valero Energy by 4.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bouchey Financial Group Ltd. now owns 1,016 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $265,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Core Capital Management & Research inc. acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter worth $80,000. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy News Summary

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

Positive Sentiment: Barclays raised its price target on VLO from $323 to $441 and reiterated an “overweight” rating. The new target implies additional upside from recently reported trading levels and represents the most direct positive catalyst in the latest coverage. Valero Energy Stock Price Expected to Rise, Barclays Analyst Says
Positive Sentiment: Refining and fuel-market developments have supported VLO and peers. The Trump administration’s temporary authorization for highway use of dyed diesel and deferral of the federal fuel tax helped lift refinery and fuel-distribution stocks overnight, as the measures could improve fuel availability and reduce near-term costs. VLO, MPC, SUN, PSX Stocks Climb Overnight
Positive Sentiment: Momentum and earnings expectations remain favorable. Zacks highlighted VLO as a momentum candidate and identified it among energy stocks with potential to exceed quarterly estimates. Analysts expect third-quarter EPS growth of more than 100% year over year, building on the company’s previous earnings beat and strong revenue growth. What to Expect From Valero Energy’s Next Quarterly Earnings Report
Neutral Sentiment: VLO’s technical trend is strong, but the stock is increasingly priced for good news. Fresh-high coverage and favorable fundamental screens support investor interest, while the stock’s sharp advance and elevated price-to-earnings valuation may limit further gains unless earnings and refining margins continue to outperform. Valero Energy Corporation Hits Fresh High
Negative Sentiment: The coordinated G7 release of up to 100 million barrels of emergency oil and diesel stocks could pressure diesel prices and refining margins. If the additional supply reduces fuel-price spikes, it may weigh on the near-term profitability tailwind currently benefiting refiners such as VLO. G7 Releases 100 Million Barrels as Diesel Tops $6 a Gallon

Valero Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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.