November 26, 2025 a 05:00 pm
VLO: Analysts Ratings - Valero Energy Corporation
Valero Energy Corporation remains a strong player within the energy sector, focusing on refining, renewable diesel, and ethanol production. The company's extensive market reach and refining capacity provide it with robustness against market fluctuations. Recent analyst consensus points towards a cautious optimism with a leaning towards holding positions, reflecting the current market sentiment amidst global economic variations.
Historical Stock Grades
Analysis of the latest analyst ratings for Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) reveals a stable sentiment with a strong inclination towards maintaining positions. The absence of 'Sell' and 'Strong Sell' ratings indicates positive confidence amongst analysts.
| Rating | Count | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Strong Buy | 4 | |
| Buy | 9 | |
| Hold | 7 | |
| Sell | 0 | |
| Strong Sell | 0 |
Sentiment Development
- The sentiment for VLO has generally been positive over the course of recent months.
- A significant number of analysts maintain 'Buy' ratings, indicating confidence in the company's prospects.
- There is an observable decline in the 'Strong Buy' ratings, suggesting a cautious stance evolving among analysts.
- The lack of 'Sell' or 'Strong Sell' ratings highlights an absence of negative sentiment in the analyst community.
Percentage Trends
- Recent data shows that 'Buy' ratings constitute around 45% of total recommendations as of November 2025.
- 'Strong Buy' ratings have dropped slightly, accounting for 20% by the same date, down from the summer months.
- 'Hold' ratings have increased, now comprising 35% of the total, indicating a shift towards more conservative investment strategies.
- This shift could reflect market uncertainties or a perceived overvaluation at current price levels.
- Over the last 12 months, there is a clear trend toward more conservative ratings, with a reduction in 'Strong Buy' and an increase in 'Hold'.
Latest Analyst Recommendations
The latest recommendations show a strong inclination to maintain current ratings, reflecting stability in analysts' views of Valero's short-term market performance.
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-17 | Overweight | Overweight | Barclays |
| 2025-11-14 | Overweight | Overweight | Piper Sandler |
| 2025-11-10 | Overweight | Overweight | Wells Fargo |
| 2025-10-24 | Overweight | Overweight | JP Morgan |
| 2025-10-24 | Hold | Hold | TD Cowen |
Analyst Recommendations with Change of Opinion
Recent changes in recommendations highlight a move towards more cautious stances, evidenced by downgrades rather than bullish upgrades.
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10-03 | Equal Weight | Overweight | Morgan Stanley |
| 2025-09-03 | Buy | Neutral | B of A Securities |
| 2025-07-22 | Hold | Buy | TD Cowen |
| 2025-07-16 | Neutral | Buy | Citigroup |
| 2025-07-14 | Peer Perform | Outperform | Wolfe Research |
Interpretation
The market sentiment towards Valero Energy Corporation reflects a balanced view with both opportunities and potential reservations. Analysts indicate stability in their outlook, with a shift towards more conservative positions, as denoted by increased 'Hold' ratings. The absence of aggressive downward ratings suggests confidence in the company’s market position, yet an increase in downgrades points towards a careful scrutiny due possibly to external market dynamics. The overall analyst sentiment remains firm but vigilant, indicating underlying strengths with cautious watchfulness.
Conclusion
In summary, Valero Energy Corporation is observed to maintain a stable track in analyst circles with a leaning towards cautious optimism. The consistent 'Buy' and 'Overweight' ratings demonstrate confidence in the company's operational strengths. However, the rise in 'Hold' recommendations indicates prudence among investors possibly reflecting broader economic conditions. While the company’s market fundamentals remain strong, analysts show a disciplined approach to forecasts, potentially impacting investment strategies going forward. The evaluation underscores both resilience and mindful vigilance in the current volatile market environment.