Valero Energy, US91913Y1001

Valero Energy stock falls 4.84 percent as Jefferies cuts rating

Published on 09/22/2026 at 16:52 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Valero Energy stock closed at USD 393.27 on September 22, 2026, down 4.84 percent. Jefferies cut its rating to Hold and set a USD 401 target.

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Valero Energy Corporation (US91913Y1001) closed at USD 393.27 on the NYSE on September 22, 2026, down USD 20.01 or 4.84 percent from the prior close. The move followed a rating cut by Jefferies as refining expectations came under renewed scrutiny.

Jefferies sets a USD 401 target

According to Investing.com on September 22, 2026, Jefferies downgraded Valero from Buy to Hold and set a USD 401 price target. The target stands USD 7.73 above the closing price, leaving a 1.96 percent gap based on the same-day close.

The downgrade came after a sharp advance: the shares were reported as up 145 percent year to date and 141 percent over the preceding year on September 22, 2026. That comparison makes the new rating more cautious than the stock's recent performance, particularly as investors reassess how much of the refining improvement is already reflected in the valuation.

Second-quarter earnings beat estimates

Valero reported USD 12.54 in earnings per share for the latest quarterly period ending June 2026, according to MarketBeat on September 22, 2026. That result exceeded the USD 10.11 consensus estimate by USD 2.43, while revenue reached USD 44.48 billion against an estimate of USD 39.47 billion.

The year-on-year comparison is equally important. EPS was USD 2.28 in the same quarter of the previous year, so the latest result was USD 10.26 higher, while quarterly revenue increased 48.8 percent year over year. The figures show why refining margins and operating throughput remain central to the investment case, even as the rating outlook becomes more restrained.

Stock remains above key averages

Valero had a market capitalization of USD 113.36 billion on September 22, 2026, while its 50-day moving average stood at USD 341.51 and its 200-day moving average at USD 280.01, according to MarketBeat. The closing price was therefore USD 51.76 above the 50-day average and USD 113.26 above the 200-day average.

The next quarterly results date shown for Valero is October 22, 2026, according to the reported market update dated September 22, 2026. That release will provide the next scheduled test of whether the second-quarter earnings strength is carrying into the following period.

Valero Energy stock closes at USD 393.27

Valero Energy stock closed at USD 393.27 on the NYSE on September 22, 2026, with a daily decline of 4.84 percent and a market capitalization of USD 113.36 billion.