Core Insights - Analysts expect Valero Energy (VLO) to report quarterly earnings of $2.91 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 155.3% with revenues projected at $29.77 billion, down 9.4% from the previous year [1] - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised upward by 36% over the past 30 days, indicating a significant reassessment by analysts [1] Revenue Projections - Total operating revenues from refining are expected to be $28.91 billion, indicating a year-over-year decline of 7.8% [4] - Total operating revenues from ethanol are projected at $1.13 billion, down 1.4% year-over-year [4] - Total operating revenues from renewable diesel are estimated at $1.11 billion, reflecting a 9% decrease year-over-year [4] Refining Margins - The U.S. Mid-Continent region's refining margin per barrel is expected to reach $10.33, up from $7.92 a year ago [5] - The U.S. West Coast region's refining margin per barrel is projected at $13.74, compared to $7.31 in the same quarter last year [5] - The U.S. Gulf Coast region's refining margin per barrel is anticipated to be $10.65, an increase from $9.03 reported in the same quarter last year [6] Throughput Volumes - Refining throughput volumes per day are estimated at 3,007.56 thousand barrels, up from 2,884.00 thousand barrels in the same quarter last year [6] - U.S. Gulf Coast region throughput volumes per day are projected at 1,805.39 thousand barrels, slightly up from 1,799.00 thousand barrels year-over-year [7] - U.S. Mid-Continent region throughput volumes per day are expected to reach 447.87 thousand barrels, compared to 419.00 thousand barrels in the same quarter last year [7] Overall Performance - Analysts predict that the refining margin per barrel will likely reach $12.02, up from $9.09 in the same quarter last year [8] - North Atlantic region throughput volumes per day are expected to be 482.18 thousand barrels, compared to 422.00 thousand barrels a year ago [8] - The North Atlantic region's refining margin per barrel is projected at $14.50, an increase from $11.55 reported in the same quarter last year [9] Market Performance - Valero Energy shares have shown a return of -3.8% over the past month, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.2% change [10] - With a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), Valero Energy is expected to outperform the overall market in the near future [10]

Core Business Overview - ExxonMobil focuses on the exploration, discovery, and exploitation of hydrocarbon energy resources, primarily crude oil and natural gas, and is a leader in petrochemicals, industrial chemicals, and plastics [1] Financial Performance - ExxonMobil's current market capitalization is $478 billion, ranking it second among the world's largest oil companies [2] - The company generated $349.6 billion in total revenue last year and paid out $16.7 billion in dividends [2] - In Q2 2025, ExxonMobil reported total revenues of $85.51 billion, down 12% year-over-year but exceeding expectations by over $1 billion, with an EPS of $1.64, which was 8 cents better than forecasted [8] Production and Refining Expansion - Recently, ExxonMobil has expanded its production capabilities, including a new development in Guyana with an output capacity of 150,000 barrels of oil per day [6] - The company has also opened new refining capacity in Singapore, utilizing innovative technology to enhance the production of high-value products [6] Future Earnings Outlook - For Q3 results expected on October 31, ExxonMobil anticipates high profits from crude oil production and refining operations, with crude oil profits potentially boosted by $300 million from higher prices and refined products expected to generate between $300 million and $700 million in additional profits [7] Dividend Reliability - ExxonMobil has maintained a reliable dividend payment history since 1995, with the last payment of 99 cents per share, annualizing to $3.96 per share and providing a forward yield of 3.5% [9] Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Wells Fargo analyst Sam Margolin has an Overweight rating on ExxonMobil, citing its strong balance sheet and capital program, with a price target of $156, indicating a potential 39% gain over the next year [11] - The Moderate Buy consensus rating is based on 18 analyst reviews, with 11 Buys and 7 Holds, suggesting a 13% upside from the current trading price of $112.24 [12]

Core Insights - Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) is scheduled to report its third-quarter 2025 results on October 23, 2025, before the market opens [1] - In the previous quarter, VLO's adjusted earnings were $2.28 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.73, mainly due to increased refining margins and lower total costs [1] Earnings Performance - VLO has missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in one of the last four quarters but has beaten it three times, resulting in an average surprise of approximately 130% [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter earnings per share is $2.94, reflecting a 158% increase from the same period last year [2] Revenue Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues stands at $29.7 billion, indicating a 9.6% decrease compared to the previous year's figure [3] Market Conditions - Average spot prices for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude in July, August, and September were $68.39, $64.86, and $63.96 per barrel, respectively, which were lower than the average prices of $81.80, $76.68, and $70.24 per barrel in the same months of the previous year [4] - Lower oil prices are expected to positively impact VLO's bottom line, as crude serves as a raw material for producing final petroleum products [5] Earnings Outlook - The current model does not predict an earnings beat for VLO, as it has an Earnings ESP of -4.85% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [6][8]

Core Insights - California is experiencing significant refinery closures, with the Phillips 66 refinery in Los Angeles set to close by the end of 2025, and Valero planning to idle its Bay Area refinery by April 2024, collectively accounting for approximately 18% of the state's refining capacity [5][6][7] Group 1: Job Losses and Economic Impact - Thousands of workers, potentially tens of thousands, are at risk of losing their jobs as California reduces its reliance on fossil fuels, with an estimated loss of nearly 58,000 workers in the oil and gas industries between 2021 and 2030 [3][9] - The fossil fuel industry employs around 94,000 people in California, and the closure of refineries will have a significant economic impact on local communities, such as Benicia, where Valero contributes about $7.7 million annually in taxes [8][9] Group 2: Legislative and Regulatory Actions - California's energy regulators are negotiating to keep the Valero plant operational and have recently backed off a proposal to penalize oil companies for high profits, indicating a shift in approach to support the industry [4] - Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to expedite oil well permitting in the Central Valley, reflecting inconsistent messaging regarding the state's climate policies and their impact on the oil industry [4][7] Group 3: Support for Displaced Workers - The state has established the Displaced Oil and Gas Worker Fund to provide career training and job opportunities, awarding nearly $30 million to various groups, although funding is set to expire in 2027 [11][12] - Governor Newsom has allocated $20 million in the 2022-2023 budget for a pilot program to train displaced workers to plug abandoned oil wells, emphasizing the need for a clear transition plan for affected workers [12][13] Group 4: Industry Perspectives - Industry representatives argue that California's climate policies threaten blue-collar jobs, with calls for a reassessment of these policies to protect employment in the sector [14] - Workers in the oil industry often earn a living wage without a college degree, but there are concerns about job security and the lack of a clear transition plan to new fields [15][16]

Industry Overview - California is experiencing significant refinery closures, with the Phillips 66 refinery in Los Angeles set to close by the end of 2025, and Valero planning to idle or cease operations at its Bay Area refinery by April 2024, collectively accounting for approximately 18% of the state's refining capacity [5][6][7] - The state was the eighth-largest crude oil producer in the U.S. in 2024, down from third place in 2014, indicating a decline in the oil industry [5] Employment Impact - The closures could lead to job losses for thousands, with estimates suggesting nearly 58,000 workers in the oil and gas industries may be displaced between 2021 and 2030, with 56% of them needing to find new jobs [3][9] - The fossil fuel industry employs around 94,000 people in California, highlighting the potential economic impact of these closures [8] Government Response - California lawmakers established the Displaced Oil and Gas Worker Fund in 2022, allocating nearly $30 million to assist displaced workers with career training and job opportunities, although funding is set to expire in 2027 [10][11] - Governor Gavin Newsom has expressed commitment to supporting displaced workers and communities, including a $20 million budget allocation for training programs related to plugging abandoned oil wells [11] Industry Challenges - The oil industry faces challenges due to California's climate policies, which are aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels, leading to increased job insecurity among workers [3][4][13] - There is a call for a clear plan to transition workers from the oil industry to new job opportunities, as many feel forgotten amid the changes [12][16]

Core Insights - California is facing significant job losses in the oil industry as it transitions away from fossil fuels, with thousands of workers potentially affected by refinery closures [3][4][5] - The state government is attempting to balance climate policies with the economic impact on oil workers, leading to inconsistent messaging and uncertainty for those in the industry [4][10] Industry Overview - California was the eighth-largest crude oil producer in the U.S. in 2024, down from third place in 2014, indicating a decline in the state's oil production capacity [5] - The closures of the Phillips 66 and Valero refineries will account for approximately 18% of California's refining capacity, which includes the production of jet fuel, gasoline, and diesel [5][6] Job Displacement and Support - An estimated 58,000 workers in the oil and gas industries may lose their jobs between 2021 and 2030, with 56% of those workers needing to find new employment rather than retiring [9] - The Displaced Oil and Gas Worker Fund was established in 2022 to provide career training and job opportunities, with nearly $30 million awarded to various groups, although funding is set to expire in 2027 [10][11] Economic Impact - The planned closure of the Valero refinery in Benicia is expected to have a significant economic impact, as the company contributes about $7.7 million annually in taxes, representing around 13% of the city's revenues [8] - The fossil fuel industry employs approximately 94,000 people in California, highlighting the scale of potential job losses due to the energy transition [8] Training and Transition Challenges - Workers are expressing concerns about the lack of a clear plan for transitioning to new jobs, with some currently enrolled in training programs that may not be sustainable in the long term [10][15] - The state has allocated $20 million for a pilot program to train displaced workers for jobs related to plugging abandoned oil wells, indicating efforts to support the transition [11]

Core Viewpoint - Valero Energy is positioned favorably in the oil and gas refining and marketing industry, with a strong outlook supported by recent performance and analyst projections [1][2][4]. Company Overview - Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) is a significant player in the oil and gas refining and marketing sector, known for its extensive refining operations and competitive stance against major companies like Marathon Petroleum and Phillips 66 [1]. - The current stock price of Valero is $162.01, with a market capitalization of approximately $50.33 billion [3][5]. Stock Performance - The stock has experienced a slight decrease of 0.26% or $0.43, with trading fluctuations between $161.25 and $164.34 during the day [3]. - Over the past year, Valero's stock reached a high of $178.43 and a low of $99 [3]. Analyst Insights - Jefferies has set a new price target for Valero at $194, indicating a potential increase of approximately 19.75% from the current stock price [2][5]. - The consistent performance of Valero in surpassing earnings expectations contributes to a favorable outlook for the company [2][4]. Trading Activity - Today's trading volume for Valero is reported at 1,655,253 shares on the NYSE, reflecting active investor interest [4].

Core Insights - California is facing a potential spike in fuel prices due to upcoming oil refinery shutdowns, including a significant fire at a Chevron plant, which may force the state to increase oil imports from Asia [1][2][5]. Refinery Closures - The closures of Phillips 66's Los Angeles refinery and Valero Energy's Benicia refinery could eliminate nearly 20% of California's refining capacity, leading to potential fuel shortages [2][14]. - Phillips 66's Los Angeles refinery is set to close by the end of 2023, while the Benicia complex is expected to shut down by the end of April 2024 [3][11]. Price Implications - Gasoline prices in California are already the highest in the nation at $4.66 per gallon, significantly above the national average and Houston's average [8]. - Jet fuel prices have increased by approximately 13% since the Chevron fire, with larger gasoline price hikes anticipated next year [7][8]. Regulatory Environment - California's government is reconsidering its regulatory stance to keep refineries operational after years of policies that have negatively impacted their profitability [2][10]. - The state has delayed planned price caps for refiners by five years, which were initially adopted in response to soaring prices in 2022 [9]. Supply and Demand Dynamics - California's gasoline demand is currently at 874,000 barrels per day, while refining capacity will drop to 740,000 barrels daily after Phillips 66's closure, creating a significant supply gap [14]. - The state's jet fuel demand of 176,000 barrels per day will exceed capacity by 146,000 barrels daily by the end of this year [15]. Import Dependencies - California will increasingly rely on imports from Asian countries such as South Korea, Singapore, Japan, India, and the Middle East to meet its fuel needs, which will likely increase costs and vulnerability to supply disruptions [16][17][18]. - Recent trends show California's petroleum product imports have risen to nearly 300,000 barrels per day, with expectations for further increases in the coming years [17].

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Core Insights - Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) is a leading independent petroleum refiner with a market cap of $50.8 billion, operating 15 refineries across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. [1] Earnings Expectations - Analysts anticipate VLO to report non-GAAP earnings of $3.04 per share for Q3, reflecting a 166.7% increase from $1.14 per share in the same quarter last year [2] - For the current year, earnings are projected to be $8.12 per share, a decrease of 4.3% from $8.48 per share reported in the previous year [3] - In fiscal 2026, earnings are expected to rise by 44.1% year-over-year to $11.70 per share [3] Stock Performance - VLO stock has increased by 14.8% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund's decline of 4.1% but underperforming the S&P 500 Index's increase of 17.2% during the same period [4] Analyst Ratings - The consensus opinion on VLO is optimistic, with a "Moderate Buy" rating. Among 19 analysts, there are 11 "Strong Buys," one "Moderate Buy," and seven "Holds" [5] - VLO's mean price target is $171.12, indicating a potential upside of 4.7% from the current market price [5]