Valero Energy Corporation (VLO): Today's Featured Energy Winner

Editor's Note: Any reference to TheStreet Ratings and its underlying recommendation does not reflect the opinion of TheStreet, Inc. or any of its contributors including Jim Cramer or Stephanie Link.

Valero Energy Corporation ( VLO) pushed the Energy industry higher today making it today's featured energy winner. The industry as a whole closed the day up 1.1%. By the end of trading, Valero Energy Corporation rose $1.37 (2.9%) to $49.01 on average volume. Throughout the day, 6,767,358 shares of Valero Energy Corporation exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 8,783,200 shares. The stock ranged in a price between $47.34-$49.04 after having opened the day at $47.37 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $47.64. Other companies within the Energy industry that increased today were: Pyramid Oil Company ( PDO), up 14.9%, Global Geophysical Services ( GGS), up 12.9%, Sonde Resources ( SOQ), up 10.9% and Petrobras Argentina ( PZE), up 10.0%.

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Valero Energy Corporation operates as an independent petroleum refining and marketing company. The company operates through three segments: Refining, Ethanol, and Retail. Valero Energy Corporation has a market cap of $25.8 billion and is part of the basic materials sector. Shares are down 5.5% year to date as of the close of trading on Wednesday. Currently there are 10 analysts that rate Valero Energy Corporation a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and 3 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Valero Energy Corporation as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income, attractive valuation levels, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and notable return on equity. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows low profit margins.

You can view the full Valero Energy Corporation Ratings Report.

On the negative front, Lilis Energy ( LLEX), down 9.3%, Rocket Fuel ( FUEL), down 5.6%, Camac Energy ( CAK), down 5.5% and CGG ( CGG), down 3.6% , were all laggards within the energy industry with Cenovus Energy ( CVE) being today's energy industry laggard.

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For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the energy industry could consider Energy Select Sector SPDR ( XLE) while those bearish on the energy industry could consider Proshares Short Oil & Gas ( DDG).