Valero Energy Corporation vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated — how do they compare? Valero Energy Corporation trades at $389.98 (market cap $110.23B), while Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated trades at $522.29 (market cap $134.06B). The key difference: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is the larger of the two by market cap, and Valero Energy Corporation pays a 1.25% dividend while Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| VLO | VRTX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $110.23B | $134.06B |
Sector | Energy | Health |
52-Week High | $388.95 | $557.96 |
52-Week Low | $156.39 | $376.62 |
Enterprise Value | $113.71B | $128.18B |
Dividend Yield | 1.25% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
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.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) trades at $528.9, down 3.15% on the day, amid a mixed technical and fundamental backdrop. The stock shows a bullish moving average signal but neutral oscillators, with key support at $522. Fundamentally, 2025 revenue reached $12.0B with a strong net income margin of 35%, though recent quarterly EPS results have been mixed. The company recently completed the acquisition of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, signaling growth ambitions.
The outlook remains positive given analyst consensus favoring a Buy rating (84%) and a $548.78 price target, implying upside. Key opportunities include revenue growth from new drug launches, while risks involve competitive pressures and earnings volatility. The stock's current valuation at a P/E of 30.8 requires sustained execution to justify further gains.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company that discovers and develops small-molecule drugs for the treatment of serious diseases. Its key drugs are Kalydeco, Orkambi, Symdeko, and Trikafta/Kaftrio for cystic fibrosis, where Vertex therapies remain the standard of care globally. In addition to its focus on cystic fibrosis, Vertex is diversifying its pipeline through gene-editing therapies such as CTX001 for beta-thalassemia and sickle-cell disease, small-molecule inhibitors targeting acute and chronic pain using non-opioid treatments, and small-molecule inhibitors of APOL1-mediated kidney diseases. Vertex is also investigating cell therapies to deliver a potential functional cure for type 1 diabetes.
Read more on VRTX →