BofA analyst Conor Fitzpatrick raised the firm’s price target on Calumet (CLMT) to $33 from $28 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm updated its model with estimates little changed after a commodity deck refresh and raised its price target as market renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel margins continue to rise and support Montana Renewables value. Published first on TheFly – the ultimate source for real-time, market-moving breaking financial news. Try Now>> See Insiders’ Hot Stocks on ...

Core Viewpoint - The Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining & Marketing industry faces significant challenges due to margin volatility and rising operational costs, yet it has outperformed the broader energy sector and S&P 500 over the past year, presenting selective investment opportunities in companies like Phillips 66, Marathon Petroleum, and Valero Energy [1][10]. Industry Overview - The industry includes companies that refine petroleum products and non-energy materials, with profitability heavily influenced by refining margins, inventory levels, and demand patterns [2]. - Refining margins are volatile and affected by various factors including crude prices, product demand, and regional capacity utilization [2]. Trends Defining the Industry's Future - Margin volatility and demand uncertainty are persistent risks, with crack spreads subject to rapid changes due to external factors like weather and refinery operations [3]. - Operational flexibility and strong export linkages are crucial for managing volatility, allowing refiners to optimize yields and respond to market demands effectively [4]. - Rising costs and regulatory pressures pose challenges, with maintenance and compliance expenses increasing, which can compress margins and create operational risks [5]. Industry Rank and Outlook - The industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 197, placing it in the bottom 19% of 243 Zacks industries, indicating a bearish outlook [7]. - Analysts have revised earnings estimates downward, with a 17.5% decrease in the industry's earnings estimate for 2026 over the past year [8]. Performance Metrics - The industry has increased by 24.7% over the past year, outperforming the broader energy sector's 17% increase and the S&P 500's 16.8% gain [10]. - The current EV/EBITDA ratio for the industry is 5.05X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 17.20X and the sector's 6.07X [13]. Company Highlights - **Phillips 66**: A major independent refiner with a refining capacity of nearly 2 million barrels per day, expected EPS growth rate of 25%, and shares have gained 21.6% in a year [16][17]. - **Marathon Petroleum**: A significant independent refiner with access to lower-cost crude, expected EPS growth of 18.8%, and shares have increased by 31.5% in a year [19][20]. - **Valero Energy**: Operates 15 refineries with a throughput of about 3.2 million barrels per day, expected EPS growth of 15.7%, and shares have risen by 47.1% in a year [21][22].

Core Insights - LanzaTech Global, Inc has announced a £600 million investment in the DRAGON II project to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel at Saltend Chemicals Park in Humberside, aiming to deliver approximately 80,000 tonnes of SAF and 8,000 tonnes of renewable diesel annually [1][2] - The project is expected to create around 300 skilled jobs during construction and 150 jobs during operation, contributing significantly to the UK's net-zero ambitions and energy security [1][3] Company Overview - LanzaTech is a leader in carbon management, utilizing a proprietary gas-fermentation platform to convert waste carbon into valuable products, including SAF and chemicals [5] - The company has established global partnerships, including collaborations with ArcelorMittal and IndianOil Company, to enhance industrial resilience and unlock economic value from carbon [5] Project Details - The DRAGON II facility is scheduled to begin construction in the second half of 2027 and is expected to be operational by 2030, reinforcing Humberside's position in industrial decarbonization [3][4] - The project is part of a broader initiative, DRAGON, which includes DRAGON I in Port Talbot, South Wales, and aims to produce a total of 50,000 tonnes of ethanol from waste carbon dioxide and green hydrogen [2] Government Support - The UK government has provided strong support for the development of the DRAGON projects, including a £6.4 million grant from the Department for Transport's Advanced Fuels Fund to accelerate both DRAGON I and DRAGON II [2] Infrastructure and Collaboration - Saltend Chemicals Park, owned by px Group, was selected for its exceptional infrastructure and potential for hydrogen and CO2 pipelines, which aligns with LanzaTech's goals for sustainable production [4][10] - LanzaTech is exploring collaborations with local partners to leverage the region's supply chains and emerging CO2 pipeline infrastructure [3]

Core Insights - LanzaTech Global, Inc has secured a contract with Spray Engineering Devices Ltd to construct a next-generation ethanol facility in Uttar Pradesh, India, utilizing sugarcane bagasse for sustainable fuel and chemical production [1][2] Group 1: Project Overview - The facility is designed to process up to 300 tons per day of bagasse and is integral to the "SED Smart Village" initiative, which aims to maximize the economic value of renewable energy and carbon resources [2] - The project will produce nutrient-rich biochar (5-10%) to enhance soil fertility in local farming communities [2][4] - This facility will be one of the first private ethanol projects in India utilizing sugar industry by-products under the PM JI-VAN Yojana, a government program supporting advanced bioethanol production [5] Group 2: Technological and Economic Impact - LanzaTech's technology employs proprietary microbes to convert carbon-rich gases into ethanol, which serves as a key building block for sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel [3][6] - The project supports circular economies by diverting biomass waste from incineration and enabling local production of fuels and chemicals, thereby fostering resilience in sugarcane-growing communities [4][6] - The partnership aligns with India's renewable energy goals, leveraging the country's solar potential and agricultural resources to create a sustainable hydrocarbon ecosystem [3][6] Group 3: Strategic Importance - The collaboration with SED expands LanzaTech's presence in India and contributes to the "Make in India" initiative by promoting local manufacturing of essential goods [6] - LanzaTech's technology is already operational at Indian Oil Corporation's Panipat facility, marking its sixth commercial-scale deployment globally [6]

Company Overview - HF Sinclair Corporation is a leading independent energy company focused on the production and marketing of refined petroleum products and renewables, leveraging a diversified portfolio of refineries and established distribution channels to maintain a strong market presence in key U.S. regions [8] - The company generates revenue through the sale of refined petroleum products, renewable fuels, and specialty chemicals, as well as through transportation, storage, and licensing of the Sinclair brand, serving wholesale fuel distributors, independent Sinclair-branded stations, and industrial customers primarily in the Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and Plains regions [9] Financial Performance - As of January 21, HF Sinclair shares were priced at $50.03, reflecting a 44.8% increase over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's approximately 14% gain during the same period [4] - The company reported a total revenue of $26.90 billion and a net income of $393.49 million, with a dividend yield of 4% [5] Recent Developments - DDD Partners reduced its stake in HF Sinclair by selling 125,198 shares in the fourth quarter, with an estimated transaction value of $6.45 million based on quarterly average pricing [2][3] - Following the sale, DDD Partners' quarter-end position in HF Sinclair declined by $8.37 million, which includes both the effects of share sales and changes in the stock's price, leaving them with 290,951 shares worth $13.41 million, representing 0.85% of their 13F reportable assets [6]

Company Overview - HF Sinclair Corporation is an independent energy company based in Dallas, Texas, specializing in the production and marketing of high-value light products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, lubricants, and specialty products [2] - The company operates refineries in Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Wyoming, Washington, and Utah, providing petroleum product and crude oil transportation, terminalling, storage, and throughput services [2] - HF Sinclair markets its refined products primarily in the Southwest U.S., the Rocky Mountains, and neighboring Plains states, supplying high-quality fuels to over 1,700 branded stations and licensing the Sinclair brand to more than 300 additional locations across the country [2] Renewable Energy Production - HF Sinclair produces renewable diesel at two facilities in Wyoming and one in Artesia, New Mexico [2] - The company also has subsidiaries that produce and market base oils and specialized lubricants in the U.S., Canada, and the Netherlands, exporting products to over 80 countries [2] Upcoming Financial Announcement - HF Sinclair plans to announce its financial results for the quarter ending December 31, 2025, on February 18, 2026, before the NYSE trading opens [1] - A webcast conference is scheduled for February 18, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time to discuss these financial results [1]

Company Overview - Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of liquid transportation fuels, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, and ethanol, along with petrochemical products and co-products for animal feed [2] - The company operates 15 petroleum refineries in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., and has 12 ethanol plants in the U.S. [2] Investment Insights - Valero is positioned to benefit from the opportunity presented by U.S. refiners, particularly due to its ability to process heavy crude oil, which is produced by Venezuela [1] - The company has a structural advantage through U.S. natural gas, allowing it to maintain a lower cost base compared to many refiners globally [2] - Recent industry consolidation and the closure of high-cost refineries in the U.S. have created additional economic value for Valero [2] - In the third quarter, Valero produced strong shareholder returns by operating its assets exceptionally well and returning excess capital to shareholders [2] Market Position - Valero, along with Phillips 66 and Marathon Petroleum, is identified as a potential big winner in the U.S. refining sector, contingent on the ability to divert Venezuelan oil to the Gulf [1] - The company focuses on optimizing its return on invested capital and generating strong free cash flow throughout the business cycle [2]

Group 1 - Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) is recognized for its significant share buyback activity, having reduced its share count by 43.6% since the end of 2015 [1] - The company operates the largest oil refining system in the U.S. and has a strong presence in midstream and retail businesses, generating substantial cash flow [1] - MPC's stock has increased by 25% year to date, benefiting from lower energy prices, which is atypical for the energy sector [1] Group 2 - MPC focuses on refining crude oil into fuels and other products, alongside fuel transportation, storage operations, and renewable diesel production [2] - The company is viewed positively by analysts, with one stating it is among the few stocks in the energy sector worth owning [2]

Core Viewpoint - Valero Energy Corporation is set to release its financial and operational results for Q4 and full year 2025 on January 29, 2026, with a conference call scheduled for discussion [1] Company Overview - Valero Energy Corporation is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products, primarily selling in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Latin America [2] - The company operates 15 petroleum refineries in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3.2 million barrels per day [2] - Valero is a joint venture member in Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC, producing low-carbon fuels including renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with a production capacity of about 1.2 billion gallons per year in the U.S. Gulf Coast region [2] - The company owns 12 ethanol plants in the U.S. Mid-Continent region, with a combined production capacity of approximately 1.7 billion gallons per year [2] - Valero manages its operations through its Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol segments [2]

Core Insights - Comstock Inc.'s strategic investee, Bioleum Corporation, has acquired substantially all patents and intellectual property assets of RenFuel K2B AB, including a patented catalytic esterification process [1][2] Financial Summary - The total purchase price for the acquisition is $18.1 million, which includes: - $12.5 million paid with 520,833 shares of Bioleum common stock - $2.5 million in warrants for an additional 104,167 shares at an exercise price of $24 per share - $2.6 million in debt forgiveness - $500,000 in cash - Additionally, there is a contingent earn-out payment of 3% of revenues from sales of lignin ester produced using the acquired technologies, capped at $11.9 million [2] Strategic Implications - Bioleum aims to convert woody biomass into renewable alternatives to petroleum, enhancing its technology stack with RenFuel's patented processes [3] - RenFuel's CEO expressed confidence that the transaction will maximize and accelerate the commercialization of their technologies globally [3] Licensing and Development Agreements - Bioleum has granted RenFuel an exclusive license to use the acquired technologies in biomaterials applications, subject to a 3% royalty [3] - A development services agreement has been established for ongoing technology development involving RenFuel's laboratory and pilot systems in Sweden [3] Termination of Previous Commitments - The transaction terminates a prior commitment by Bioleum to fund approximately $1 million per year to RenFuel under a previous agreement [4]