Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) is a leading American energy company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. As the largest independent petroleum refiner globally, Valero operates 15 refineries across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. and is currently trading at a market cap of $50.8 billion. The energy behemoth is set to unveil its third-quarter results on Thursday, Oct. 23, before the market opens. Ahead of the event, analysts expect VLO to report non-GAAP earnings of $3.04 per share, up 166.7% from the profi ...

Core Insights - ClearSign Technologies Corporation has received an initial engineering order for a retrofit project involving 36 ClearSign Core™ burners for a U.S. Gulf Coast refinery [1] Company Developments - The retrofit project is part of a collaboration with an integrated petroleum producer, indicating strong demand for advanced combustion technologies [1] - The installation aims to enhance efficiency, reduce emissions, and support cleaner fuel usage, including hydrogen [1] Industry Context - The project reflects a growing trend in the petroleum industry towards adopting technologies that improve environmental performance and operational efficiency [1]

The share price of Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK) fell by 10.92% between September 5 and September 12, 2025, putting it among the Energy Stocks that Lost the Most This Week. Delek US Holdings (DK) Falls After a Strong Rally Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK) is a diversified downstream energy company specializing in petroleum refining, asphalt, renewable fuels, and logistics. Delek US Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:DK) rallied earlier this month after Wolfe Research upgraded the stock from ‘Peer Perform’ to ‘Ou ...

By Marianna Parraga HOUSTON (Reuters) - A Delaware court is inclined to deny a motion made last month by miner Gold Reserve to disqualify a rival bid for the parent of Venezuela-owned refiner Citgo Petroleum from an affiliate of hedge fund Elliott Investment Management, Judge Leonard Stark said in a filing on Wednesday. The court is set to begin the final sale hearing next week in the court-organized auction of shares aimed to pay creditors for past expropriations and debt defaults by Venezuela. The hea ...

Core Viewpoint - CVR Energy reported mixed financial results for Q2 2025, with revenue exceeding analyst expectations but adjusted EPS falling short, indicating operational challenges and regulatory impacts [1][2]. Financial Performance - GAAP revenue for Q2 2025 was $1,761 million, surpassing the analyst consensus of $1,688.8 million, but down 10.5% from $1,967 million in Q2 2024 [2]. - Adjusted EPS was $(0.23), missing the expected $(0.13) and reflecting a 355.6% decline from $0.09 in Q2 2024 [2]. - The company reported a net loss attributable to shareholders of $(114) million, a significant drop from a net income of $21 million in the same quarter last year, marking a 642.9% decline [2]. - Adjusted EBITDA increased to $99 million, a 13.8% rise from $87 million in Q2 2024 [2]. Business Segments Overview - CVR Energy operates in three segments: petroleum refining, renewable fuels, and nitrogen fertilizers, with a focus on high-value transportation fuels and renewable diesel production [3][4]. - The petroleum segment faced challenges due to a planned refinery turnaround, reducing throughput and significantly impacting refining margins [5]. - The renewables segment continued to operate below breakeven, with throughput increasing but facing losses due to regulatory uncertainties [6]. - The nitrogen fertilizer segment showed stronger results, with net income rising to $39 million driven by higher prices for ammonia and UAN products [7][8]. Operational Challenges and Developments - The petroleum segment's refining margin dropped to $2.21 per barrel from $10.94 last year, impacted by a pre-tax $89 million loss related to Renewable Fuel Standard obligations [5][9]. - The renewables segment's adjusted EBITDA loss was $4 million, with throughput improving but still heavily reliant on government policies [6]. - Regulatory and compliance costs significantly affected profitability, with ongoing capital investments for environmental upgrades [9]. Leadership Changes - Dave Lamp announced his retirement as CEO, with Mark Pytosh set to take over in January 2026, and Brett Icahn appointed to the board, increasing Icahn Enterprises' influence [10]. Future Guidance - Management expects petroleum segment throughput of 200,000 to 215,000 barrels per day and ammonia utilization rates of 93% to 97% in the fertilizer segment [11]. - Cash flow concerns persist, with free cash flow turning negative by $12 million and a decline in cash position from $987 million at the end of 2024 to $596 million by June 30, 2025 [12].

Financial Results - Q2 2025 net loss attributable to IEP was $165 million, compared to a net loss of $331 million for Q2 2024[6] - Q2 2025 Adjusted EBITDA loss attributable to IEP was $43 million, compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $155 million for Q2 2024[6] - Indicative net asset value as of June 30, 2025, was approximately $3.3 billion, an increase of $252 million compared to March 31, 2025[6] - The company declares a second quarter distribution of $0.50 per depositary unit[6] Segment Performance - Energy segment: Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $127 million to a loss of $24 million for Q2 2025 compared to $103 million in Q2 2024[17, 20] - Automotive segment: Adjusted EBITDA decreased $27 million for Q2 2025 compared to Q2 2024, impacted by higher labor costs and operating expenses[23, 24] - Investment segment: Returns of negative 0.5% for Q2 2025[12, 14] - All Other Segments: Q2 2025 Adjusted EBITDA attributable to IEP was $17 million compared to $28 million for Q2 2024[31] Energy Segment Details - Refining margin for Q2 2025 was $2.21 per throughput barrel, compared to $10.94 during Q2 2024[17, 20] - Renewable margin for Q2 2025 was $0.38 per vegetable oil throughput gallon, compared to $0.43 in Q2 2024[17, 20] - Q2 2025 average realized gate prices for UAN increased by 18% to $317 per ton and ammonia increased by 14% to $593 per ton when compared to Q2 2024[17, 19]

Core Points - CVR Energy reported a net loss of $114 million for Q2 2025, a significant decline from a net income of $21 million in Q2 2024, resulting in a loss per diluted share of $1.14 compared to earnings of $0.21 per share in the previous year [1][8] - The company's adjusted loss for Q2 2025 was 23 cents per diluted share, contrasting with adjusted earnings of 9 cents per diluted share in Q2 2024 [1][8] - EBITDA loss for Q2 2025 was $24 million, down from an EBITDA of $103 million in Q2 2024, while adjusted EBITDA increased to $99 million from $87 million year-over-year [1][8] Financial Performance - The Petroleum Segment experienced a net loss of $137 million and an EBITDA loss of $84 million in Q2 2025, compared to a net income of $18 million and EBITDA of $56 million in Q2 2024 [6][8] - Total throughput for Q2 2025 was approximately 172,000 barrels per day, down from 186,000 barrels per day in Q2 2024, primarily due to processing intermediate inventories [7][8] - Refining margin for Q2 2025 was $35 million, or $2.21 per total throughput barrel, a sharp decline from $185 million, or $10.94 per barrel, in the same period of 2024 [9][50] Segment Performance - The Renewables Segment reported a net loss of $11 million and an EBITDA loss of $5 million for Q2 2025, consistent with the previous year's performance [11][13] - The Nitrogen Fertilizer Segment achieved net income of $39 million and EBITDA of $67 million on net sales of $169 million for Q2 2025, compared to net income of $26 million and EBITDA of $54 million on net sales of $133 million in Q2 2024 [14][15] Leadership Changes - Mark A. Pytosh is set to assume the role of President and CEO of CVR Energy on January 1, 2026, following Dave Lamp's retirement [3][5] - Brett Icahn was appointed as a director effective August 1, 2025, increasing the Board size to nine members [5][8] Cash and Debt Management - Consolidated cash and cash equivalents decreased to $596 million as of June 30, 2025, down from $987 million at the end of 2024 [18][43] - Total debt and finance lease obligations were reported at $1.9 billion as of June 30, 2025, including $570 million held by the Nitrogen Fertilizer Segment [18][43] - The company prepaid $70 million and $20 million in principal of the Term Loan in June and July 2025, respectively, recognizing a $1 million loss on extinguishment of debt [19][20]

Refining Operations - HollyFrontier aims to operate its refineries at a crude charge rate of 450,000 to 470,000 barrels per day[37] - HollyFrontier targets mid-cycle Refining EBITDA of $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion per year[132] - HollyFrontier is implementing cost-saving initiatives to achieve a target operating expense of $5.50 per throughput barrel[40] - HollyFrontier has increased its refining capacity by 15% since 2015[27] Holly Energy Partners (HEP) - HollyFrontier owns 59% of the LP Interest in HEP[15] - Over 80% of HEP's revenues are tied to long-term contracts and minimum volume commitments[15, 62] - HEP is targeting a distribution coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.2x[62] Lubricants & Specialty Products - HollyFrontier Lubricants & Specialty Products (HF LSP) is the largest North American group III base oil producer[15] - HF LSP's Rack Forward business consistently generates EBITDA margins of 10-15%[114] - HF LSP targets Rack Forward EBITDA of $175 million to $200 million in 2018[135] Financials & Valuation - HollyFrontier's sum-of-the-parts valuation estimates a total share price of $60, based on a $37 valuation for Refining & Marketing, $12 for Holly Energy Partners, and $11 for Lubricants & Specialty Products[129] - HollyFrontier targets a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 1x (excluding HEP)[141]

Stock Recommendations - Marathon Petroleum Company is favored for investment [2] - Aurora Innovation is considered too speculative, but a headline could cause the stock to double [3] - QXO is favored due to Brad Jacobs' reputation, despite concerns about debt [4] Company Commentary - Marathon Petroleum Company is the largest petroleum refining, marketing, and transportation company in the US [1] - Aurora is the only autonomous trucking company with pilotless vehicles on the road [3] - True Value is around $12 [4] Community Feedback - A new club member praised the club's monthly meeting, stating it had already paid for itself [5] - The speaker appreciates the new member's feedback [5][6] Program Information - The Lightning Round is sponsored by Charles Schwab [7] - Questions for Jim Kramer can be tweeted using madmentions, emailed to madmoney@cnbc.com, or called in to 1-800-743-CNNBC [8] - Missed content can be found at madmoney.cnbc.com [9]

Company Overview - As of March 31, 2025, Carl Icahn and his affiliates owned approximately 86% of IEP's outstanding depositary units[7,8] - As of May 15, 2025, IEP has a $200 annualized distribution, which is a 207% yield[7] - As of March 31, 2025, IEP has liquidity through its investment in the Investment Funds of approximately $25 billion[7] Financial Performance (LTM March 31, 2025) - Investment segment assets were $3850 million, with a net loss attributable to IEP of $333 million[7] - Energy segment assets were $4722 million, with net sales of $7393 million and a net loss attributable to IEP of $153 million[7] - Automotive segment assets were $1881 million, with net sales of $1470 million and a net loss attributable to IEP of $34 million[7] - Food Packaging segment assets were $434 million, with net sales of $397 million and a net loss attributable to IEP of $20 million[7] - Real Estate segment assets were $512 million, with net sales of $95 million and a net loss attributable to IEP of $6 million[7] - Home Fashion segment assets were $220 million, with net sales of $181 million and a net loss attributable to IEP of $9 million[7] - Pharma segment assets were $274 million, with net sales of $107 million and a net income attributable to IEP of $6 million[7]