Alliant Energy Corporation vs Valero Energy Corporation — how do they compare? Alliant Energy Corporation trades at $69.5 (market cap $17.78B), while Valero Energy Corporation trades at $324.39 (market cap $93.27B). The key difference: Valero Energy Corporation is far larger — about 5.2× Alliant Energy Corporation's market cap, and Alliant Energy Corporation pays the higher dividend (3.12%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| LNT | VLO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $17.78B | $93.27B |
Sector | Utilities | Energy |
52-Week High | $78.03 | $323.92 |
52-Week Low | $63.62 | $133.38 |
Enterprise Value | $29.88B | $96.74B |
Dividend Yield | 3.12% | 1.48% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Alliant Energy (LNT) trades at $68.21, down 1.67% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but bullish oscillators. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $0.65, beating estimates, and reaffirmed full-year guidance. Revenue grew to $4.36B in 2025, with net income margin at 18.45%. Analyst consensus is a Buy with a $77.67 price target, indicating potential upside. Recent news highlights institutional activity, including Assenagon Asset Management increasing its stake by 339.9% as of August 12, 2026.
LNT presents a stable investment opportunity with consistent earnings beats and a dividend yield, but faces risks from rising debt levels and bearish technical trends. The stock's valuation metrics, including a P/E of 21.7, are reasonable for the utilities sector. Upside is supported by analyst targets, while headwinds include higher interest costs and competitive pressures.
Valero Energy (VLO) trades at $314.95, up 5.58% in 24 hours, reflecting strong momentum. The stock exhibits bullish technical signals with key support at $307 and resistance at $324. Recent quarterly earnings consistently beat expectations, with Q2 2026 EPS of $12.54 surpassing the $10.11 estimate. Revenue for 2026 is projected to rise to $139.4 billion, with net income margin improving to 5.17%.
Outlook remains positive due to robust refining margins and renewable diesel growth, but risks include volatile oil prices and geopolitical tensions. Analysts maintain a buy consensus with a $324.27 price target, indicating potential upside. Investors should monitor execution on earnings guidance and global energy supply dynamics.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Alliant Energy is the parent of two regulated utilities, Interstate Power and Light and Wisconsin Power and Light, serving nearly 1 million electricity and natural gas customers and approximately 420,000 natural gas-only customers. Both subsidiaries engage in the generation and distribution of electricity and the distribution and transportation of natural gas. Alliant also owns a 16% interest in American Transmission Co.
Read more on LNT →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 →