VLO vs PBF

For growth investors, Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) is the stronger pick with -5.

5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -11. 4% for PBF Energy Inc. (PBF). Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) offers the better valuation at 31. 3x trailing P/E (10. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) a "Buy" — based on 37 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On forward P/E, PBF Energy Inc.

is actually cheaper at 7. 5x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) delivered a total return of +220.

2%, compared to +179. 6% for PBF Energy Inc. (PBF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: VLO returned +394. 8% versus PBF's +68. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), PBF Energy Inc.

(PBF) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 13β versus Valero Energy Corporation's 0. 27β — meaning VLO is approximately 110% more volatile than PBF relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 44% versus 53% for PBF Energy Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) is pulling ahead at -5.

5% versus -11. 4% for PBF Energy Inc. (PBF). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: PBF Energy Inc. grew EPS 69. 8% year-over-year, compared to -11. 8% for Valero Energy Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, VLO leads at -11. 4% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) is the more profitable company, earning 1.

9% net margin versus -0. 5% for PBF Energy Inc. — meaning it keeps 1. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: VLO leads at 3. 5% versus -0. 2% for PBF. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — VLO leads at 4. 4%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

On forward earnings alone, PBF Energy Inc.

(PBF) trades at 7. 5x forward P/E versus 10. 0x for Valero Energy Corporation — 2. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PBF: -8. 6% to $38. 00.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

PBF Energy Inc. (PBF) offers the highest yield at 2. 6%, versus 1. 9% for Valero Energy Corporation (VLO).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

27), 1. 9% yield, +394. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (VLO: +394. 8%, PBF: +68. 4%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Energy sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.