Upstart Holdings Inc vs Valero Energy Corporation — how do they compare? Upstart Holdings Inc trades at $29.37 (market cap $2.76B), while Valero Energy Corporation trades at $313.64 (market cap $93.03B). The key difference: Valero Energy Corporation is far larger — about 33.7× Upstart Holdings Inc's market cap, and Valero Energy Corporation pays a 1.53% dividend while Upstart Holdings Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| UPST | VLO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $2.76B | $93.03B |
Sector | Financials | Energy |
52-Week High | $84.13 | $313.31 |
52-Week Low | $24.22 | $131.77 |
Enterprise Value | — | $98.79B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.53% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Upstart Holdings (UPST) trades at $29.27, down 0.81% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but improving fundamentals. The company reported a net income of $53.60 million in 2025, marking a significant turnaround from prior losses. Recent news highlights AI-driven lending growth and a $600 million funding deal with Neuberger Berman, though quarterly earnings have been mixed with a recent miss in Q1 2026.
The stock presents a high-risk, high-reward opportunity, supported by analyst consensus targets near $42.00 but challenged by volatile cash flows and rising debt. Key risks include execution on new loan products and macroeconomic sensitivity, while institutional sentiment remains divided with a 45% buy rating. Near-term direction hinges on Q2 2026 results due August 4, 2026.
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
Upstart Holdings Inc provides credit services. The company provides a proprietary, cloud-based, artificial intelligence lending platform. The platform aggregates consumer demand for loans and connects it to the network of Upstart AI-enabled bank partners. The revenue of the company is primarily comprised of fees paid by banks.
Read more on UPST →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 →