Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q2 2025, net income attributable to Valero stockholders was $714 million or $2.28 per share, down from $880 million or $2.71 per share in Q2 2024 [10] - Refining segment reported operating income of $1.3 billion for Q2 2025, compared to $1.2 billion in Q2 2024 [10] - Refining throughput volumes averaged 2.9 million barrels per day with a 92% capacity utilization rate [10] - Cash operating expenses for refining were $4.91 per barrel in Q2 2025 [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Renewable diesel segment reported an operating loss of $79 million in Q2 2025, down from operating income of $112 million in Q2 2024, with sales volumes averaging 2.7 million gallons per day [11] - Ethanol segment reported operating income of $54 million in Q2 2025, down from $105 million in Q2 2024, with production volumes averaging 4.6 million gallons per day [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Diesel sales volumes increased approximately 10% year-over-year, while gasoline sales remained flat compared to the previous year [7] - U.S. diesel inventories were at their lowest level for July in almost 30 years, indicating strong demand [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is progressing with FCC unit optimization projects at St. Charles, expected to cost $230 million and start up in 2026, aimed at increasing the yield of high-value products [8] - The company remains optimistic about refining fundamentals due to planned refinery closures and limited capacity additions beyond 2025 [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted strong operational and commercial execution, setting a record for refining throughput in the U.S. Gulf Coast region [6] - The outlook for refining margins is positive due to strong product demand and low inventories globally [7] - Management expects sour crude oil differentials to widen as OPEC plus and Canada increase production in the latter half of the year [9] Other Important Information - The company returned $695 million to stockholders in Q2 2025, with a payout ratio of 52% [13] - Total debt at the end of Q2 2025 was $8.4 billion, with $4.5 billion in cash and cash equivalents [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is refined product demand trending across your footprint? - Management indicated that refining fundamentals remain supportive, with gasoline demand relatively flat and diesel demand trending above last year's levels [20][21] Question: What is your outlook for light-heavy differentials? - Management expects improvements in differentials as Canadian production recovers and OPEC unwinds cuts, but uncertainties remain regarding Russian sanctions [28][30] Question: What's your outlook for net capacity additions for the remaining part of this year and for 2026? - Management noted limited new capacity coming online, primarily geared towards petrochemical production rather than transportation fuels [35][36] Question: Can you explain the strong capture rates in the Gulf Coast? - Strong operating performance and commercial success in the Gulf Coast region contributed to high capture rates, despite heavy-light differentials [37][39] Question: What is the sustainability of capital returns and buybacks? - The company maintains a commitment to return 40%-50% of adjusted cash flow to shareholders and plans to use excess free cash flow for share buybacks [42][44] Question: Can you discuss the renewable diesel segment's performance? - The segment improved quarter-over-quarter due to better volume and full PTC capture on eligible feedstocks, despite ongoing challenges [105][108]