NextEra Energy, Inc. vs Valero Energy Corporation — how do they compare? NextEra Energy, Inc. trades at $85.83 (market cap $176.68B), while Valero Energy Corporation trades at $323.85 (market cap $90.68B). The key difference: NextEra Energy, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and NextEra Energy, Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.94%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NEE | VLO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $176.68B | $90.68B |
Sector | Utilities | Energy |
52-Week High | $97.88 | $314.95 |
52-Week Low | $69.77 | $131.77 |
Enterprise Value | $284.01B | $94.16B |
Dividend Yield | 2.94% | 1.52% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
NextEra Energy (NEE) trades at $84.65, showing minimal daily movement with a 0.06% gain. The stock is in a bearish technical phase, with support at $84 and resistance at $86. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 and Q2 2026, while Q4 2025 missed. The company benefits from strong AI-driven power demand, highlighted by a $100 billion data center project in Kentucky announced on July 29, 2026 (Reuters).
NEE offers solid fundamentals with a 32.4% net income margin and 17.23% ROE, but faces risks from high debt levels and capital expenditures. Analysts are bullish with a $101.17 consensus price target, implying 19% upside. Key opportunities include AI infrastructure growth, while risks involve execution on large projects and interest rate sensitivity.
Valero Energy (VLO) trades at $298.31, down 1.54% on the day, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. The stock shows strong profitability with a 29.31% ROE and trades at a P/E of 12.44, below industry averages. Recent news highlights geopolitical tensions supporting refining margins, while Q2 2026 earnings surged on strong refining and renewable diesel performance.
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $324.27, implying 8.7% upside, but risks include volatile oil prices and declining revenue trends. Analyst sentiment is bullish with 55.55% buy ratings, though technical indicators suggest near-term caution amid bearish momentum signals.
Trailing returns across standard periods
NextEra Energy's regulated utility, Florida Power & Light, distributes power to more than 5 million customers in Florida. FP&L contributes more than 60% of the group's operating earnings. The renewable energy segment generates and sells power throughout the United States and Canada. Consolidated generation capacity totals more than 50 gigawatts and includes natural gas, nuclear, wind, and solar assets.
Read more on NEE →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 →