Kohl's Corporation vs Valero Energy Corporation — how do they compare? Kohl's Corporation trades at $19.17 (market cap $2.10B), while Valero Energy Corporation trades at $329.4 (market cap $93.27B). The key difference: Valero Energy Corporation is far larger — about 44.4× Kohl's Corporation's market cap, and Kohl's Corporation pays the higher dividend (2.7%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| KSS | VLO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $2.10B | $93.27B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Energy |
52-Week High | $24.71 | $323.92 |
52-Week Low | $11.72 | $133.38 |
Enterprise Value | $8.20B | $96.74B |
Dividend Yield | 2.7% | 1.48% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Kohl's (KSS) trades at $18.96, down 0.42% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. The stock shows low valuation multiples (P/E of 7.77, P/S of 0.14) amid declining revenue, which fell to $16.22B in 2025. Recent Q1 2026 earnings beat expectations, and the company announced a $0.13 dividend for June 2026, alongside leadership changes including a new COO appointment in September 2026.
The outlook is mixed: low valuations and earnings beats offer value, but persistent sales declines and thin net margins near 1.77% pose risks. Analyst consensus is cautious with a $16.75 price target below the current price, reflecting concerns over competitive pressures and cash flow volatility. Investors should weigh cost-cutting progress against macroeconomic headwinds in retail.
Valero Energy (VLO) trades at $328.43, up 4.28% today, showing strong momentum after recent earnings beats. The stock maintains bullish technical signals with key resistance at $329 and support at $319. Recent Q2 2026 results significantly exceeded expectations with EPS of $12.54 versus $10.11 estimates, driven by robust refining margins and renewable diesel performance. Revenue trends show recovery from 2025's $122.7B to projected $139.4B in 2026.
VLO presents a compelling value opportunity with attractive valuation metrics (P/E 13.51, P/S 0.7) and strong profitability (ROE 29.31%). Analyst consensus favors Buy ratings (55.55%) with $324.27 price target. Key risks include refining margin volatility and geopolitical impacts on oil markets. The company's disciplined capital allocation and dividend payments ($1.20 quarterly) provide shareholder returns amid energy sector transformation.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Kohl's operates 1,165 department stores in 49 states that sell moderately priced private-label and national brand clothing, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, and home furnishings. Most of these stores are in strip centers. Kohl's also operates a large digital sales business. Women's apparel is Kohl's largest category, having generated 27% of its 2021 sales. The retailer, headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, opened its first department store in 1962.
Read more on KSS →Valero Energy is one of the largest independent refiners in the United States. It operates 14 refineries with a total throughput capacity of 3.2 million barrels a day in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Valero also owns 14 ethanol plants with capacity of 1.7 billion gallons of ethanol a year and holds a 50% stake in Diamond Green Diesel, which has capacity to produce 700 million gallons per year of renewable diesel.
Read more on VLO →