Valero Energy Gains 0.72% on Surging EPS and Institutional Buys, Ranking 380th in Market Activity

On August 15, 2025, Valero Energy (VLO) closed at $136.05, rising 0.72% with a trading volume of $0.28 billion, ranking 380th in market activity. Institutional ownership saw a 7.9% increase as Resona Asset Management boosted its stake to 103,462 shares valued at $13.65 million. The firm reported Q2 EPS of $2.28, surpassing estimates by $0.62, though revenue declined 13.3% year-over-year to $29.89 billion.

Institutional investors, including Public Sector Pension Investment Board and SouthState Corp, collectively increased holdings by 3.0% to 195.3%, reflecting confidence in the refining giant. Analysts at Raymond James and Goldman Sachs raised price targets to $172 and $154, respectively, while Citigroup downgraded to "neutral." The stock’s 52-week range of $99.00–$155.12 highlights recent volatility amid mixed technical indicators.

Technical analysis reveals conflicting signals: a 1.98% price rise contrasts with bearish patterns like WR Oversold and Bearish Engulfing. Institutional inflows remain cautious (48–49% ratios), while retail investors show optimism (50.29% inflow). The company’s 3.3% dividend yield and 188.33% payout ratio underscore its aggressive return strategy despite a 13.3% revenue decline.

The backtest of a volume-driven strategy from 2022 to 2025 showed a cumulative return of 1.08 times initial investment, with $10,720 in total profit. This highlights trading volume’s role in identifying active stocks but underscores market dynamics’ impact on short-term performance.