Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) vs Valero Energy Corporation (VLO)

MPC leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Marathon Petroleum Corporation and Valero Energy Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — MPC vs VLO

growth of $100 · last 15y
MPC +1314.8%VLO +1121.9%MPC compounded faster
05001k2kStart $10020142017202020232026$1,415$1,222
MPC VLO

MPC vs VLO: by the numbers

  • MPC is the larger company ($76.95B vs $76.81B market cap).
  • MPC trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.19 vs 18.79 P/E).
  • VLO grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.68% vs 14.07% CAGR).
  • VLO pays the higher dividend yield (1.80% vs 1.48%).

Which is better, MPC or VLO?

Metric tally: MPC 11 · VLO 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueMPC(lower P/E)
GrowthVLO(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeVLO(higher dividend yield)

Valuation

MetricMPCVLO
P/E ratio17.1918.79
Forward P/E11.2412.45
P/S ratio0.570.61
P/B ratio4.643.23
PEG ratio0.394.28
EV / EBITDA8.879.10
FCF yield7.33%7.69%

Profitability

MetricMPCVLO
Gross margin8.80%7.24%
Operating margin5.02%4.61%
Net margin3.41%3.33%
ROE27.65%17.62%
ROIC7.03%7.12%

Dividends

MetricMPCVLO
Dividend yield1.48%1.80%
Payout ratio29.46%61.56%

Growth (annualized)

MetricMPCVLO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)14.07%14.68%
EPS CAGR (5Y)22.12%4.39%
FCF CAGR (5Y)30.60%67.44%
Total return CAGR (5Y)36.26%30.36%

Frequently asked

Which is better, MPC or VLO?
It depends on your goal. value: MPC (lower P/E); growth: VLO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: VLO (higher dividend yield). Across all compared metrics, MPC leads 11 to 5.
Is MPC or VLO cheaper?
On trailing earnings, MPC is cheaper: MPC trades at a 17.19 P/E and VLO at 18.79.
Which has grown faster, MPC or VLO?
Over the past five years, VLO grew revenue faster — MPC at a 14.07% CAGR versus VLO at 14.68%.
Does MPC or VLO pay a bigger dividend?
MPC yields 1.48% and VLO yields 1.80% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Which has been the better investment, MPC or VLO?
Over the past 10-year, MPC delivered the higher annualized total return — MPC at 25.67% versus VLO at 21.79%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.