Phillips 66 vs Valero Energy Corporation — how do they compare? Phillips 66 trades at $261.27 (market cap $103.40B), while Valero Energy Corporation trades at $389.98 (market cap $110.23B). The key difference: Phillips 66 and Valero Energy Corporation are close in size by market cap, and Phillips 66 pays the higher dividend (1.96%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| PSX | VLO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $103.40B | $110.23B |
Sector | Energy | Energy |
52-Week High | $260.78 | $388.95 |
52-Week Low | $126.76 | $156.39 |
Enterprise Value | $119.87B | $113.71B |
Dividend Yield | 1.96% | 1.25% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
PSX trades at $259.14, up 1.59% today and near its 52-week high, supported by bullish technical signals and strong earnings beats in recent quarters. The stock shows robust profitability with a 24.02% ROE and attractive valuation metrics, including a P/E of 14.79. Recent news highlights momentum from high gas prices and refining efficiency gains, with a dividend of $1.27 payable in September 2026.
Outlook remains positive due to earnings momentum and sector tailwinds, but risks include volatile energy markets and declining revenue trends. Analysts are predominantly bullish with a $242.45 consensus target, though the current price exceeds this, suggesting near-term caution. Institutional buying and stable cash flow growth support long-term potential.
Valero Energy (VLO) trades at $382.85, up 3.27% today, reflecting strong momentum amid favorable refining conditions. The stock exhibits a bullish technical trend, with recent earnings beats and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) as of September 9, 2026. Fundamentals show robust profitability with a 29.31% ROE, though revenue has declined from $176.4B in 2022 to $122.7B in 2025. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $345.55 price target, and the company maintains a solid balance sheet with $4.66B in cash.
VLO's outlook is supported by tight fuel supplies and healthy demand, with projected 2026 net income of $7.2B. Key risks include volatile energy prices and potential regulatory pressures. The stock offers growth potential but faces headwinds from revenue declines and geopolitical factors affecting the energy sector.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Phillips 66 is an independent refiner with 12 refineries that have a total crude throughput capacity of 2.0 million barrels per day, or mmb/d, after converting its 255 mb/d Alliance refinery to a terminal. The midstream segment comprises extensive transportation and NGL processing assets. It also includes its DCP Midstream joint venture, which holds 45 natural gas processing facilities, 11 NGL fractionation plants, and a natural gas pipeline system with 58,000 miles of pipeline. Its CPChem chemical joint venture operates facilities in the United States and the Middle East and primarily produces olefins and polyolefins.
Read more on PSX →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 →