February 13, 2026 a 01:00 pm
VLO: Analysts Ratings - Valero Energy Corporation
The Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) has been experiencing dynamic shifts in analyst sentiment over recent months. As a leading energy producer with a diverse portfolio, VLO’s stock is closely watched by market analysts. The current ratings suggest a mixed outlook with both buy and hold positions predominating, highlighting both potential growth opportunities and cautiousness among investors.
Historical Stock Grades
| Rating Type | Count | Score Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Strong Buy | 4 | |
| Buy | 7 | |
| Hold | 7 | |
| Sell | 0 | |
| Strong Sell | 1 |
Sentiment Development
Over the past months, VLO's analyst ratings have shown a trend toward stability with occasional fluctuations in sentiment. Notable shifts include a minor decrease in 'Buy' ratings, while 'Hold' ratings have occasionally spiked. Strong Buy recommendations have recently maintained a steady count, reflecting cautious optimism amidst changing market conditions.
- The total count of analyst ratings has remained relatively stable, indicating consistent interest.
- Strong Buy ratings peaked mid-2025 and have since stabilized.
- Hold ratings increased slightly in recent months, suggesting some hesitation.
Percentage Trends
Analyzing the percentage distribution reveals subtle shifts in sentiment. Strong Buy ratings, although stable, have not seen significant growth, while Buy ratings progressively decreased. An increase in Hold ratings suggests a cautious or wait-and-see approach is being adopted by some analysts.
- In recent months, the percentage of Hold ratings has increased from 30% to 35%, indicating a more balanced perspective.
- The proportion of Sell ratings remains negligible, reinforcing a relatively positive long-term outlook.
- The most noticeable change is the slight erosion in the percentage of Buy ratings, declining from 40% in early 2025 to around 35%.
Latest Analyst Recommendations
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-09 | Neutral | Neutral | Citigroup |
| 2026-01-30 | Equal Weight | Equal Weight | Morgan Stanley |
| 2026-01-30 | Overweight | Overweight | Piper Sandler |
| 2026-01-27 | Equal Weight | Equal Weight | Morgan Stanley |
| 2026-01-08 | Overweight | Overweight | Piper Sandler |
Analyst Recommendations with Change of Opinion
Recent changes in analyst opinions highlight transitions in sentiment, with several downgrades occurring towards the end of 2025. These adjustments may indicate cautiousness regarding market variabilities or stock-specific issues.
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-12 | Neutral | Outperform | Mizuho |
| 2025-12-11 | Neutral | Buy | B of A Securities |
| 2025-10-03 | Equal Weight | Overweight | Morgan Stanley |
| 2025-09-03 | Buy | Neutral | B of A Securities |
| 2025-07-22 | Hold | Buy | TD Cowen |
Interpretation
The current analysis of VLO's ratings reveals a cautiously optimistic outlook from analysts, with stable but mixed sentiment. The presence of downgrades suggests some analysts are reevaluating their positions, possibly due to broader economic factors or company-specific developments. Despite this, the absence of Sell recommendations signifies continued confidence in the company's resilience and growth potential. The stabilization of analyst opinion points to a relatively steady sentiment without significant volatility, which suggests confidence in the company's strategic trajectory.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Valero Energy Corporation appears to present a balanced investment prospect, characterized by its operational scope in diverse energy segments. Analysts display cautious optimism with mixed guidance, reflecting market complexities and external factors impacting the energy sector. The stability in recommendations suggests measured confidence but warrants attention to potential shifts in global energy policies or market conditions. Investors should weigh the risks of fluctuating analyst sentiment against the company's strategic efforts to sustain growth and adaptability in a volatile industry.