Stock Analysis on Net

Valero Energy Corp. (NYSE:VLO)

$22.49

This company has been moved to the archive! The financial data has not been updated since October 30, 2024.

Economic Value Added (EVA)

Microsoft Excel

EVA is registered trademark of Stern Stewart.

Economic value added or economic profit is the difference between revenues and costs,where costs include not only expenses, but also cost of capital.

Paying user area

The data is hidden behind: . Unhide it.

This is a one-time payment. There is no automatic renewal.


We accept:

Visa Mastercard American Express Maestro Discover JCB PayPal Google Pay
Visa Secure Mastercard Identity Check American Express SafeKey

Economic Profit

Valero Energy Corp., economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1
Cost of capital2
Invested capital3
 
Economic profit4

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2023 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= × =


The period under review demonstrates significant fluctuations in economic profit. Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) experienced considerable volatility, beginning with a positive value in 2019, followed by a substantial loss in 2020, recovery in 2021, a peak in 2022, and a decline in 2023. The cost of capital generally increased over the five-year period, with a slight decrease observed between 2019 and 2020. Invested capital exhibited a consistent upward trend throughout the period.

Economic Profit Trend
Economic profit was negative in 2019, 2020, and 2021, indicating that returns did not exceed the cost of capital. The largest negative economic profit occurred in 2020, coinciding with the negative NOPAT. A positive economic profit was achieved in 2022, driven by a significant increase in NOPAT, but this was not sustained, as economic profit turned negative again in 2023.
NOPAT and Economic Profit Relationship
A strong correlation exists between NOPAT and economic profit. The negative economic profit in 2020 directly reflects the negative NOPAT for that year. Similarly, the peak in economic profit in 2022 corresponds to the highest NOPAT value within the observed timeframe. The decline in NOPAT in 2023 resulted in a return to negative economic profit.
Cost of Capital Impact
The cost of capital increased from 15.70% in 2019 to 17.31% in 2022, before decreasing slightly to 17.13% in 2023. This increasing cost of capital presented a greater hurdle for generating positive economic profit, particularly during periods of lower NOPAT. The higher cost of capital in 2022 likely contributed to the reduced economic profit in 2023, even with a substantial, but lower than 2022, NOPAT.
Invested Capital and Economic Profit
Invested capital steadily increased throughout the period. While this growth suggests expansion and investment, it did not consistently translate into improved economic profit. The increasing invested capital, coupled with fluctuations in NOPAT and a rising cost of capital, contributed to the overall volatility in economic profit.

In summary, the economic profit performance was heavily influenced by NOPAT fluctuations, the increasing cost of capital, and the continued growth of invested capital. The period demonstrates a challenging environment for generating returns exceeding the cost of capital, with only one year achieving positive economic profit.


Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Valero Energy Corp., NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Net income (loss) attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in allowance for credit losses2
Increase (decrease) in LIFO reserve3
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents4
Interest and debt expense, net of capitalized interest
Interest expense, operating lease liability5
Adjusted interest and debt expense, net of capitalized interest
Tax benefit of interest and debt expense, net of capitalized interest6
Adjusted interest and debt expense, net of capitalized interest, after taxes7
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »

2 Addition of increase (decrease) in allowance for credit losses.

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in LIFO reserve. See details »

4 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income (loss) attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders.

5 2023 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

6 2023 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest and debt expense, net of capitalized interest = Adjusted interest and debt expense, net of capitalized interest × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

7 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net income (loss) attributable to Valero Energy Corporation stockholders.


Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Stockholders
The net income experienced a significant decline in the year ending 2020, moving from a positive 2,422 million US dollars in 2019 to a negative 1,421 million US dollars. This was followed by a recovery period, with net income rising to 930 million US dollars in 2021. The company then showed strong profitability in 2022, reaching 11,528 million US dollars, before seeing a decrease to 8,835 million US dollars in 2023. Overall, this pattern indicates volatility with a substantial rebound post-2020.
Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
The NOPAT data mirrors the trends seen in net income, starting at 4,429 million US dollars in 2019 and dropping to negative 1,650 million US dollars in 2020. There was a pronounced recovery in 2021, with NOPAT increasing to 5,561 million US dollars. The highest value in the series occurred in 2022, with 13,520 million US dollars, followed by a reduction to 7,868 million US dollars in 2023. This fluctuation highlights a similar pattern of operational profitability impact and recovery as observed in net income.

Cash Operating Taxes

Valero Energy Corp., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Income tax expense (benefit)
Less: Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Add: Tax savings from interest and debt expense, net of capitalized interest
Cash operating taxes

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).


The analysis of the annual financial data reveals significant fluctuations in the income tax expense (benefit) and cash operating taxes over the five-year period.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
The income tax expense exhibited a notable negative value in 2020, reaching a benefit of -$903 million, which contrasts sharply with the positive expense of $702 million in 2019. Following this period, the tax expense rose to $255 million in 2021, before surging substantially to $3,428 million in 2022. In 2023, this figure decreased somewhat but remained elevated at $2,619 million, indicating a return to significant tax liabilities compared to the earlier years.
Cash Operating Taxes
Cash operating taxes mirrored the trend seen in the income tax expense, with a negative outflow of -$931 million in 2020 compared to $577 million in 2019. Subsequently, there was a marked increase to $519 million in 2021, which escalated dramatically to $3,508 million in 2022. In the most recent year, 2023, cash operating taxes declined slightly to $2,654 million, but still remained considerably higher than pre-2020 levels.

Overall, the data indicates a period of tax benefit in 2020 followed by a consistent and substantial increase in tax expenses and cash operating taxes in the subsequent years. The sharp rise in both metrics during 2022 and 2023 suggests changes in earnings, tax policies, or other factors impacting the company's tax payable status, resulting in a significantly higher cash outflow related to taxes despite the decrease from the 2022 peak.


Invested Capital

Valero Energy Corp., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Current portion of debt and finance lease obligations
Debt and finance lease obligations, less current portion
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Total Valero Energy Corporation stockholders’ equity
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Allowance for credit losses3
LIFO reserve4
Equity equivalents5
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax6
Noncontrolling interests
Adjusted total Valero Energy Corporation stockholders’ equity
Construction in progress7
Invested capital

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 Addition of capitalized operating leases.

2 Elimination of deferred taxes from assets and liabilities. See details »

3 Addition of allowance for doubtful accounts receivable.

4 Addition of LIFO reserve. See details »

5 Addition of equity equivalents to total Valero Energy Corporation stockholders’ equity.

6 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

7 Subtraction of construction in progress.


Total reported debt & leases
The total reported debt and leases exhibited a rising trend from 2019 to 2020, increasing from $10,962 million to $15,847 million. Subsequently, there was a consistent decline over the next three years, with figures decreasing to $15,125 million in 2021, then dropping more significantly to $12,722 million in 2022, and further to $12,637 million by the end of 2023. This indicates a period of increased leverage followed by a notable reduction in debt levels.
Total Valero Energy Corporation stockholders’ equity
Stockholders' equity showed a downward trajectory between 2019 and 2021, falling from $21,803 million to $18,430 million. However, a reversal occurred in 2022 when equity increased sharply to $23,561 million and continued to grow substantially to $26,346 million in 2023. This pattern suggests an initial period of equity erosion followed by a recovery and strengthening of the equity base.
Invested capital
Invested capital demonstrated a mostly steady upward movement over the five-year span. Starting at $40,757 million in 2019, it slightly increased in 2020 to $40,966 million, then advanced more markedly to $44,526 million in 2021. The growth trend continued with an increase to $49,772 million in 2022, reaching $51,119 million in 2023. This represents ongoing investment and capital deployment over the period.
Summary
Overall, the financial data reflect a phase of increased debt leverage in 2020, followed by deliberate deleveraging from 2021 onward. Concurrently, stockholders’ equity declined in the early years but rebounded strongly in the latest two years, indicating improved financial health or retained earnings accumulation. The continuous growth in invested capital suggests sustained investment efforts, aligning with the strengthening equity position and reduced reliance on debt financing during the latter years.

Cost of Capital

Valero Energy Corp., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt and finance lease obligations, including current portion3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt and finance lease obligations, including current portion. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt and finance lease obligations, including current portion3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt and finance lease obligations, including current portion. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt and finance lease obligations, including current portion3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt and finance lease obligations, including current portion. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt and finance lease obligations, including current portion3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt and finance lease obligations, including current portion. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt and finance lease obligations, including current portion3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt and finance lease obligations, including current portion. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

Valero Energy Corp., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Invested capital2
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
Chevron Corp.
ConocoPhillips
Exxon Mobil Corp.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2023 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The economic spread ratio exhibited significant fluctuations between 2019 and 2023. Initially negative, the ratio demonstrated substantial volatility before returning to a negative value in the most recent period. This analysis details the observed trends and potential implications.

Economic Spread Ratio Trend
In 2019, the economic spread ratio was -4.84%. This indicates that the company’s return on invested capital was less than its cost of capital. A marked deterioration occurred in 2020, with the ratio declining to -18.37%, signifying a considerably wider gap between returns and costs. The ratio improved significantly in 2021 to -2.64%, suggesting a narrowing of this gap. A positive value was achieved in 2022, reaching 9.86%, indicating that the company generated returns exceeding its cost of capital during that year. However, this positive trend reversed in 2023, with the ratio falling back to -1.74%, suggesting a return to a position where returns were below the cost of capital, albeit less pronounced than in 2020.

The economic spread ratio’s movement appears correlated with the fluctuations in economic profit. The substantial negative economic profit figures in 2019 and 2020 align with the lowest economic spread ratios observed during that period. The positive economic profit in 2022 corresponds with the peak in the economic spread ratio. The return to negative economic profit in 2023 is reflected in the negative economic spread ratio for that year.

Invested Capital
Invested capital consistently increased throughout the period, rising from US$40,757 million in 2019 to US$51,119 million in 2023. This growth in invested capital occurred alongside the fluctuations in the economic spread ratio, suggesting that increased investment did not consistently translate into improved returns relative to the cost of capital.

The observed volatility in the economic spread ratio warrants further investigation. While the company achieved a period of value creation in 2022, the subsequent decline in 2023 suggests potential challenges in sustaining profitability relative to its capital base. Continued monitoring of this ratio, alongside its underlying components, is recommended.


Economic Profit Margin

Valero Energy Corp., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Revenues, includes excise taxes on sales by certain of foreign operations
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Chevron Corp.
ConocoPhillips
Exxon Mobil Corp.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2023 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Revenues, includes excise taxes on sales by certain of foreign operations
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The economic profit margin exhibited significant fluctuation between 2019 and 2023. Initially negative, it experienced a substantial decline in 2020 before recovering and turning positive in 2022, only to revert to a negative value in the most recent period.

Economic Profit Margin Trend
In 2019, the economic profit margin stood at -1.82%. This metric deteriorated considerably in 2020, reaching -11.59%, indicating a substantial decrease in economic profit relative to revenue. A recovery was observed in 2021, with the margin improving to -1.03%. The most significant shift occurred in 2022, when the economic profit margin became positive at 2.78%, suggesting improved profitability and efficient capital allocation. However, this positive trend did not persist, as the margin decreased to -0.61% in 2023.

The economic profit margin’s movement closely mirrors the changes in economic profit. The large negative economic profit values in 2019 and 2020 directly contributed to the low margins in those years. The positive economic profit in 2022 drove the margin to its highest point during the analyzed period. The return to negative economic profit in 2023 resulted in a negative margin once again.

Revenue Relationship
Revenues decreased substantially from 2019 to 2020, coinciding with the largest drop in the economic profit margin. Revenues then increased significantly in 2021 and 2022, aligning with the margin’s recovery. A decrease in revenues occurred in 2023, which corresponded with the economic profit margin becoming negative again. This suggests a strong correlation between revenue levels and the economic profit margin.

The volatility in the economic profit margin indicates potential sensitivity to external factors or internal operational changes. Further investigation would be required to determine the underlying drivers of these fluctuations and assess the sustainability of future performance.