Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Stock Sees Heavy Put Option Buying

Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) saw some unusual options trading activity on Friday. Investors purchased 21,302 put options on the stock. This is an increase of 108% compared to the typical daily volume of 10,233 put options.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently weighed in on VLO. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Valero Energy from $356.00 to $389.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 1st. Citigroup raised their price objective on Valero Energy from $259.00 to $302.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Zacks Research raised Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Mizuho upped their target price on Valero Energy from $289.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Raymond James Financial increased their price target on shares of 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 research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $335.12.

Key Stories Impacting Valero Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: Refining-market strength supports earnings prospects. Tight global product markets, constrained refining capacity and resilient demand are lifting margins across the sector, benefiting Valero’s refining operations. The company’s Gulf Coast crude-sourcing advantage and strong balance sheet could further support cash flow and shareholder returns. Tight Global Markets Drive Refining Sector Gulf Coast Advantage and Strong Balance Sheet Aid Valero Energy
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst commentary remains constructive. Goldman Sachs reportedly expects Valero’s stock to rise, while Erste Group issued updated fiscal 2026 earnings expectations. The attention from Zacks users and inclusion among oil stocks to watch may also be attracting additional trading interest. Valero Energy Stock Price Expected to Rise
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor focus is elevated. Valero has been identified as a trending stock, suggesting heightened retail and market attention. That visibility can support near-term momentum but may also increase volatility as investors reassess valuation and refining-cycle assumptions. Valero Energy Is a Trending Stock
• Negative Sentiment: Potential diesel-export restrictions are the main overhang. Reports that President Trump wants to ban U.S. diesel exports triggered selling across refiners. Although no finalized policy was cited, such a move could disrupt Valero’s product-market access, pressure margins and create uncertainty around future earnings. Trump Wants to Ban Diesel Exports
• Negative Sentiment: Profit-taking and cautious views may limit gains. Investor Steve Weiss said he exited Valero after an approximately 35% gain in one month, citing long-term skepticism about energy stocks. Jefferies’ Hold rating also signals that some analysts see limited upside after the recent rally. Steve Weiss Dumped an Energy Stock Valero Energy Earns Hold Rating

Insider Transactions at Valero Energy

In other news, SVP Eric Fisher sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $268.17, for a total value of $2,011,275.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 19,742 shares in the company, valued at $5,294,212.14. This represents a 27.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.36% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Valero Energy

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

Valero Energy Stock Down 1.5%

Shares of NYSE VLO traded down $5.88 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $376.98. The company had a trading volume of 1,759,591 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,372,966. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.64. Valero Energy has a twelve month low of $155.29 and a twelve month high of $419.04. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $346.35 and its 200-day moving average is $283.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $108.54 billion, a PE ratio of 15.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.25 and a beta of 0.57.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The oil and gas company reported $12.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $10.11 by $2.43. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 26.74% and a net margin of 5.17%.The firm had revenue of $44.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $39.47 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.28 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 48.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Valero Energy will post 49.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 31st. Investors of record on Friday, July 31st were paid a $1.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 31st. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is presently 19.92%.

Valero Energy Company Profile

Valero Energy Corporation is an international energy company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. Its primary business is refining crude oil into transportation fuels and other products, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt, lubricants and petrochemical feedstocks.

Valero operates refineries and related facilities in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, and markets its products through wholesale and commercial channels in North America and other international markets.