When deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock, investors often rely on analyst recommendations. Media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts often influence a stock's price, but are they really important?

Valero Energy (VLO) has received quite a bit of attention from Zacks.com users lately. Therefore, it is wise to be aware of the facts that can impact the stock's prospects.

Oil refiner and renewable fuels producer Valero Energy Co. NYSE: VLO plays an essential role in the transportation industry. Its core business of petroleum refining enables gas-powered automobiles, trucks, ships, and planes to operate as they convert crude oil into refined petroleum products like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.

Valero Energy Corporation has shown strong performance, returning over 380% in the past decade, outperforming the S&P 500 and Energy ETF. The company continues to reward shareholders with aggressive buybacks and dividend hikes, maintaining a healthy balance sheet and strong free cash flow. Despite recent earnings decline, Valero's strategic positioning in renewable fuels and sustainable aviation fuel make it resilient, with potential for long-term growth.

U.S. refiner Valero Energy Corp plans to operate its 14 refineries up to 92% of their combined 3.2 million barrel-per-day (bpd) total throughput capacity in the third quarter of 2024, according to plans announced by Homer Bhullar, vice president of investor relations.

Valero's (VLO) Q2 earnings and revenues beat estimates on soaring refining throughput volumes, partially offset by lower margins.

Valero Energy (VLO) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.71 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.61 per share. This compares to earnings of $5.40 per share a year ago.

Higher crude oil prices outpaced refined product price increases in Q2, potentially squeezing Valero Energy's (VLO) margins and affecting its quarterly performance.

Valero Energy (VLO) closed at $148.33 in the latest trading session, marking a +0.37% move from the prior day.

The Magnificent 7 have lost $1.11 trillion in market capitalization over the past five trading days as investors rotate away from them. Some of the capital moving away has likely gone into other, less overvalued S&P 500 stocks.

In the closing of the recent trading day, Valero Energy (VLO) stood at $147.78, denoting a -1.51% change from the preceding trading day.

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Board of Directors of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE: VLO, “Valero”) has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend on common stock of $1.07 per share. The dividend is payable on September 3, 2024 to holders of record at the close of business on August 1, 2024. About Valero Valero Energy Corporation, through its subsidiaries (collectively, Valero), is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and pe.