J M Smucker Co vs Valero Energy Corporation — how do they compare? J M Smucker Co trades at $112.69 (market cap $11.97B), while Valero Energy Corporation trades at $313.64 (market cap $93.03B). The key difference: Valero Energy Corporation is far larger — about 7.8× J M Smucker Co's market cap, and J M Smucker Co pays the higher dividend (3.93%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| SJM | VLO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $11.97B | $93.03B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Energy |
52-Week High | $117.05 | $313.31 |
52-Week Low | $89.53 | $131.77 |
Enterprise Value | $19.00B | $98.79B |
Dividend Yield | 3.93% | 1.53% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
SJM trades at $115.75, up 3.34% today, showing strong momentum near resistance levels. The company maintains positive cash flow despite recent net losses, with operating cash flow of $1.21 billion in 2025. Recent dividend increases and analyst consensus support a bullish outlook, though profitability metrics remain challenged with negative ROE and net margins. Technical indicators show bullish momentum with the stock trading above key moving averages.
The investment case balances strong cash generation and dividend growth against profitability challenges. Analyst consensus targets $125.50 with 52% buy ratings, suggesting 8.4% upside potential. Key risks include persistent negative margins, high debt levels at 43.7% debt-to-asset ratio, and competitive pressures in the consumer staples sector. The company's Uncrustables division remains a key growth driver with nearly $1 billion in annual sales.
Valero Energy (VLO) trades at $314.80, up 1.66% today and near its 52-week high, with a bullish technical outlook supported by strong moving averages. The stock has consistently beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, with Q2 2026 expected at $10.13 EPS. Revenue declined to $122.69B in 2025, but net income margin improved to 3.37%, while valuation ratios like P/E of 22.89 and P/S of 0.77 reflect moderate pricing relative to peers. Recent news highlights robust refining margins and dividend declarations of $1.20 per share.
VLO's outlook is positive due to elevated crack spreads and strong fuel demand, though revenue declines pose a risk. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $285.38 price target, but high RSI levels suggest potential near-term pullbacks. Investment appeal lies in earnings momentum and shareholder returns, balanced against exposure to volatile energy markets and refining margins.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
J.M. Smucker is a packaged food company that primarily operates in the U.S. retail channel (87% of fiscal 2022 revenue), but also in U.S. food-service (7%), and international (6%). Its largest segment is pet food and treats (36% of 2022 revenue), with popular brands such as Milk-Bone, Meow Mix, 9Lives, Kibbles 'n Bits, Nature's Recipe, and Rachael Ray Nutrish. Its second-largest category is coffee (35% across channels) with the number-two brand Folgers and number-six Dunkin'. Other large categories are peanut butter (10%), with number-one Jif, fruit spreads (5%) with number-one Smucker's, and frozen hand-held foods (6%) with number-one Uncrustables.
Read more on SJM →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 →