Valero Energy Corporation vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? Valero Energy Corporation trades at $330.49 (market cap $93.27B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $226.84 (market cap $90.68B). The key difference: Valero Energy Corporation and Waste Management, Inc. are close in size by market cap, and Waste Management, Inc. pays the higher dividend (1.56%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| VLO | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $93.27B | $90.68B |
Sector | Energy | Industrials |
52-Week High | $323.92 | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $133.38 | $196.77 |
Enterprise Value | $96.74B | $113.47B |
Dividend Yield | 1.48% | 1.56% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Valero Energy (VLO) trades at $329.99, up 4.78% on the day, reflecting strong momentum after recent earnings beats. The stock shows bullish technical signals with moving averages supporting upward trends, while fundamentals indicate robust profitability with a 29.31% ROE and a P/E of 13.51. Recent news highlights refining strength and geopolitical factors benefiting the sector.
Outlook remains positive with analyst consensus favoring a Buy rating and a $324.27 price target. Key risks include volatile oil prices and refining margin pressures, but disciplined capital allocation and renewable diesel growth offer upside potential for investors seeking energy exposure.
WM trades at $226.19, down 0.18% today, with a neutral technical signal and strong fundamentals. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat estimates at $2.02 per share, driven by pricing discipline and margin gains. Revenue growth is steady, with 2025 revenue at $25.20 billion, though net income margin dipped to 10.74%. The stock shows a bullish analyst consensus with a $263.43 price target, supported by 20 buy ratings and no sell recommendations. Institutional activity includes mixed trades, such as Bank of America reducing holdings by 6.1% in Q1 2026 (SEC filing, 2026-08-01).
Outlook remains positive due to consistent earnings beats and operational efficiency, but risks include high valuation ratios like a P/E of 59.74 and rising debt levels, with total liabilities at $36.31 billion in 2024. Investors should weigh growth potential against margin pressures and macroeconomic headwinds affecting waste volumes.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →Waste Management ranks as the largest integrated provider of traditional solid waste services in the United States, operating approximately 260 active landfills and about 340 transfer stations. The company serves residential, commercial, and industrial end markets and is also a leading recycler in North America.
Read more on WM →