Earnings Preview: Valero Energy EPS, Revenue Expected to Rise from Previous Quarter

Valero Energy VLO releases its next round of earnings this Tuesday, July 26, 2011. Here's Benzinga's advanced look at Valero's second quarter earnings report.

Earnings and Revenue:

Analysts are looking ahead to a positive EPS reading of $1.51 per share and revenues of $28.44 billion. Can Valero Energy manage the estimated 62.4% rise in EPS and 30.6% increase in revenues as analysts are predicting? We'll have to wait until Tuesday to find out.

Here's how the company's reported EPS has stacked up against analyst estimates in the past:

Quarter	Q1	Q4	Q3	Q2
EPS Estimate	$0.43	$0.35	$0.47	$0.71
EPS Actual	$0.80	$0.39	$0.51	$0.93

Stock Performance:

At last check, shares of Valero Energy were trading at $25.74. Since January 1st, shares of Valero Energy have given investors a return of 11.7%.

Average Stock Rating:

The average rating by analysts for Valero Energy is a Moderate Buy. Over the past three months this rating's strength has declined slightly.

Competitors:

Looking for a sympathy stock to trade or interested in the performance of other companies in the same sector? Take a look at some of Valero Energy's peers.

Chevron CVX: Moderate Buy with a $3.09 recent quarter EPS
Sunoco SUN: Moderate Sell with a -$1.01 recent quarter EPS

The oil refining and marketing company's industry has seen price/earnings growth of 2.8% during the current fiscal year.

Finally, a description of the company's main areas of operation: Valero Energy is an independent refining and marketing company, which owns and operates refineries that produce conventional gasolines, distillates, jet fuel, asphalt, petrochemicals, and lubricants.

Take Action:

Now that you have reviewed all the numbers, be ready to move if the upcoming Valero Energy earnings report has any surprises. Also, come back to Benzinga after the announcement for a full recap and a guide to your next steps.