VLO

Valero Energy (VLO) reported exceptional third-quarter 2026 results with adjusted EPS surging 553% to $23.90 and revenues jumping 43.3% to $46.10 billion. The company benefited from substantially stronger refining margins, particularly in gasoline and distillate products, with refining margin per barrel reaching $39.24. Renewable diesel and ethanol segments also showed improved profitability, while operating cash flow hit $6.93 billion.

Global oil markets surged following drone attacks on Saudi and Russian infrastructure, pushing WTI to $99/bbl and Brent to $112/bbl (5-month high). Stock futures declined sharply with the Dow down 285 points, S&P 500 down 69 points, and Nasdaq down 479 points, while bond yields fell across the board. Initial jobless claims remained historically low at 194K. Q3 earnings showed mixed results: Procter & Gamble and Lockheed Martin beat expectations, Spotify missed earnings but showed strong subscriber growth, and Valero Energy posted strong refining margins.

Middle Eastern tensions from drone attacks on Saudi and Russian infrastructure and tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz drove oil prices up 2% to five-month highs, sending stock futures lower. Jobless claims remained historically low at 194K. Q3 earnings showed mixed results: Procter & Gamble and Lockheed Martin beat estimates while Spotify missed, though all three stocks traded higher. Valero Energy surged on strong refining market conditions.