Valero (VLO): analysis in plain words
Is Valero cheap or expensive? How it makes money, whether it grows and its risks, explained in plain words and with its official accounts.
Valero (VLO) is listed on the NYSE and we classify it in oil and gas. Below are its key dated figures, how it makes money, how it compares with its sector, what works for and against Valero according to those figures, and the questions people ask most about the stock. No buy or sell tips.
Valero (VLO) key figures as of November 4, 2026
| Figure | Value | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $365.34 | Last price on November 4, 2026 |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.3x | Price over earnings per share |
| Revenue growth | +46.5% | Latest quarter vs the same quarter a year earlier |
| Net margin (TTM) | 8.8% | Profit for every 100 of sales |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 0.1x | Years of operating profit to repay debt |
| Dividend yield | 1.24% | Annual dividend over price |
| Market cap | $101.9 billion | What the stock market values it at |
The Valero figures come from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026. Any VLO figure that is not available shows as N/A: we do not estimate it.
How Valero makes money
Valero Energy refines crude in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom into gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, its core business. It also reports Renewable Diesel, through the Diamond Green Diesel venture, and Ethanol, made from corn. Fuel is sold under brands including Valero and, in the U.K., Texaco.
Over the last 12 months, Valero brought in revenue of $146.5 billion. For every 100 it sells, Valero keeps 19.5 after the direct cost of what it sells (gross margin) and 20.5 after all operating costs (operating margin). With 9,785 full-time employees, that is about $15 million of revenue per employee.
Valero against its sector
To know whether a Valero figure is high or low you have to put it next to similar companies. This table compares Valero with the median of the 14 oil and gas companies Fintols covers, with data as of November 4, 2026.
| Figure | Valero | oil and gas median |
|---|---|---|
| P/E | 8.3x | 16.1x (14) |
| Revenue growth | +46.5% | +38.3% (14) |
| Net margin | 8.8% | 10.5% (14) |
| Dividend yield | 1.24% | 2.52% (14) |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 0.1x | 0.6x (13) |
In short, against the typical oil and gas company, Valero trades on a lower P/E, grows faster and earns a thinner margin. By size, Valero ranks number 5 of 11 oil and gas companies quoted in USD on Fintols.
The bull case for Valero
These are the strengths in the Valero figures as of November 4, 2026:
- Valero is selling more than a year ago: +46.5% in its latest quarter (the typical oil and gas company grew +38.3%).
- Valero earns 46.9% a year on its shareholders' money (return on equity).
- Valero generates real cash: $12.6 billion of free cash flow over 12 months, 12.3% of its stock market value.
The main risk for Valero
The Valero figures as of November 4, 2026 show no clear red flag (no heavy debt, no losses, no falling sales). Its main risk is the one built into its business: oil and gas prices, which it does not control and which swing its profit year to year, plus the energy transition.
Frequently asked questions about Valero
Is it a good time to buy Valero stock?
Fintols does not tell you whether to buy or sell Valero, and nobody knows what the price will do tomorrow. What we can show you is where it stands today. As of November 4, 2026, Valero stock trades at $365.34, 21% below its 52-week high ($461.52) and 128% above its low ($159.90). Its P/E is 8.3x against a oil and gas median of 16.1x, and 6.8x on the earnings analysts expect over the next 12 months. With Valero, as with any stock, timing matters less than understanding the business, investing for the long run and not betting everything on a single company.
Does Valero pay a dividend?
Yes. As of November 4, 2026, Valero pays $4.80 per share a year, which at today's price is a yield of 1.24%. It uses 11% of its profit to pay it, which leaves room to keep paying it if profit dips. Its average dividend yield over the last five years is 2.76%. The oil and gas median on Fintols is 2.52%.
Is Valero stock expensive?
It depends on what you compare it with. On P/E, Valero trades at 8.3x its last 12 months of earnings: cheaper than the oil and gas median (16.1x). Including its debt, Valero is valued at 5.4x its EBITDA (EV/EBITDA). A high P/E alone does not make Valero expensive: it can be justified if earnings grow fast, and a low one can reflect a business in trouble.
Who are Valero's competitors?
On Fintols we compare Valero with Kinder Morgan, Williams and Eni, which are also in oil and gas. As of November 4, 2026, Kinder Morgan is worth $70.2 billion and trades on a P/E of 19.5; Williams is worth $84.8 billion and trades on a P/E of 26.7; Eni is worth €72.8 billion and trades on a P/E of 17.5. Each has a side-by-side comparison with Valero below.
Valero competitors
- Kinder Morgan (KMI) analysis · Valero vs Kinder Morgan comparison
- Williams (WMB) analysis · Valero vs Williams comparison
- Eni (ENI.MI) analysis · Valero vs Eni comparison
To understand Valero better
- Dividend Growth Investing: FCF Payout Ratio and Compounding
- P/E Ratio and EPS Explained: How to Read Them Without Traps
More companies like Valero: oil and gas stocks and S&P 500 companies. Open the full VLO analysis with its valuation and scenarios. Educational content about Valero, not investment advice.