Compare NRG Energy Inc (NRG) vs Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
NRG Energy Inc vs Valero Energy Corporation — how do they compare? NRG Energy Inc trades at $120.9 (market cap $24.83B), while Valero Energy Corporation trades at $328.42 (market cap $93.27B). The key difference: Valero Energy Corporation is far larger — about 3.8× NRG Energy Inc's market cap, and NRG Energy Inc pays the higher dividend (1.61%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NRG | VLO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $24.83B | $93.27B |
Sector | Utilities | Energy |
52-Week High | $184.03 | $323.92 |
52-Week Low | $117.04 | $133.38 |
Enterprise Value | $48.79B | $96.74B |
Dividend Yield | 1.61% | 1.48% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
NRG Energy trades at $120.97, up 1.73% today, with a bearish technical signal despite oversold RSI levels near support at $119. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $1.49, missing estimates of $1.69, but revenue grew 11% year-over-year, driven by cost controls and a strategic 1.2 GW Texas data-center power project. Fundamentals show a P/E of 30.76 and ROE of 26.77%, though net margin is thin at 2.56%.
Outlook is mixed: analyst consensus is bullish with a $207.83 price target (69% buy ratings), citing growth from data-center demand, but risks include rising interest costs, high leverage (debt-to-assets at 56.42% in 2025), and earnings misses. The stock offers a 1.6% dividend yield, but investors face volatility from execution risks in expansion plans.
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.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
About NRG Energy Inc
NRG Energy is one of the largest retail energy providers in the U.S., with 7 million customers, including its 2021 acquisition of Direct Energy. It also is one of the largest U.S. independent power producers, with 16 gigawatts of nuclear, coal, gas, and oil power generation capacity primarily in Texas. Since 2018, NRG has divested its 47% stake in NRG Yield, among other renewable energy and conventional generation investments. NRG exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy as a stand-alone entity in December 2003.
Read more on NRG →About Valero Energy Corporation
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 →
