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Why Valero Energy Stock Rose Today

Investivoq PriceTracker

Valero Energy (VLO) is up 3.7% today. Here is some analysis on what might have caused this price movement. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1035002/000162828026066795/a9302026exh9901earningsrel.htm))

Analysis: The move appears tied to continued optimism around refining economics and shareholder returns, with Valero still benefiting from an unusually strong margin environment and fresh capital-allocation support. The stock may also be getting a lift from the company’s recent Gulf Coast expansion announcement, which adds a new growth angle beyond its already strong 2026 results. ([kansascityfed.org](https://www.kansascityfed.org/research/economic-bulletin/downstream-bottlenecks-in-the-oil-supply-chain-are-contributing-to-historically-high-refinery-margins-and-fuel-prices/))

Details:

  • Valero reported third-quarter net income of $6.8 billion, or $23.89 per share, with refining operating income surging to $8.8 billion as refinery throughput averaged 3.0 million barrels per day. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1035002/000162828026066795/a9302026exh9901earningsrel.htm))
  • The company said its refineries ran at near-record utilization rates, while a St. Charles optimization project was completed on schedule to increase output of higher-value products such as alkylate and gasoline. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1035002/000162828026066795/a9302026exh9901earningsrel.htm))
  • Valero’s latest quarterly filing said resilient product demand and continued strength in refining margins were the primary contributors to results, and it also disclosed a new $10.0 billion share repurchase authorization dated October 27, 2026. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1035002/000162828026067679/vlo-20260930.htm?utm_source=openai))
  • Valero also recently announced a $1.20 quarterly dividend and an agreement to acquire the former Houston refinery site for $320.5 million, with plans to restart 165,000 barrels per day of throughput capacity by year-end 2027. ([investorvalero.com](https://investorvalero.com/news/news-details/2026/Valero-Energy-Corporation-Declares-Regular-Cash-Dividend-on-Common-Stock-5c99ef73e/default.aspx))

    • Sources:

    SEC, Valero Energy, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1035002/000162828026066795/a9302026exh9901earningsrel.htm))

    Disclaimer: This price movement analysis was generated with the help of AI. Please double-check the information provided for mistakes.

    $VLO Insider Trading Activity

    VLO Insider Trades

    $VLO insiders have traded $VLO stock on the open market 3 times in the past 6 months. Of those trades, 0 have been purchases and 3 have been sales.

    Here’s a breakdown of recent trading of $VLO stock by insiders over the last 6 months:

    • ERIC A FISHER (SVP) has made 0 purchases and 3 sales selling 22,500 shares for an estimated $5,675,152.

    To track insider transactions, check out Investivoq's insider trading dashboard. You can access data on insider stock transactions through the Investivoq API insider transaction endpoint.

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    $VLO Hedge Fund Activity

    We have seen 1,027 institutional investors add shares of $VLO stock to their portfolio, and 944 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.

    Here are some of the largest recent moves:

    • PRICE T ROWE ASSOCIATES INC /MD/ removed 4,209,220 shares (-51.8%) from their portfolio in Q2 2026, for an estimated $1,096,249,256
    • SIXTH STREET PARTNERS MANAGEMENT COMPANY, L.P. added 2,748,653 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q2 2026, for an estimated $715,859,187
    • STATE STREET CORP removed 1,677,849 shares (-8.9%) from their portfolio in Q3 2026, for an estimated $650,351,050
    • AQR CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC added 1,330,979 shares (+193.1%) to their portfolio in Q2 2026, for an estimated $346,640,170
    • AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL INC removed 1,314,818 shares (-20.1%) from their portfolio in Q2 2026, for an estimated $342,431,199
    • BLACKROCK, INC. removed 869,238 shares (-3.3%) from their portfolio in Q2 2026, for an estimated $226,384,344
    • MORGAN STANLEY added 782,627 shares (+10.8%) to their portfolio in Q2 2026, for an estimated $203,827,375

    To track hedge funds' stock portfolios, check out Investivoq's institutional holdings dashboard. You can access data on hedge funds moves and 13F filings through the Investivoq API 13F endpoint.

    $VLO Price Targets

    Multiple analysts have issued price targets for $VLO recently. We have seen 4 analysts offer price targets for $VLO in the last 6 months, with a median target of $284.0.

    Here are some recent targets:

    • Theresa Chen from Barclays set a target price of $279.0 on 07/01/2026
    • Jason Gabelman from TD Cowen set a target price of $292.0 on 06/29/2026
    • Joe Laetsch from Morgan Stanley set a target price of $255.0 on 06/12/2026
    • Nitin Kumar from Mizuho set a target price of $289.0 on 05/27/2026

    This article is not financial advice. See Investivoq's disclaimers for more information. Note that there may be inaccuracies due to mistakes in ticker-mapping, and other anomalies.