Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) vs The Williams Companies, Inc. (WMB)

VLO leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Valero Energy Corporation and The Williams Companies, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — VLO vs WMB

growth of $100 · last 30y
VLO +5899.0%WMB +496.2%VLO compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
1101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$5,999$596
VLO WMB

VLO vs WMB: by the numbers

  • WMB is the larger company ($87.43B vs $73.39B market cap).
  • VLO trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.95 vs 31.22 P/E).
  • WMB converts more revenue to profit (23.82% vs 3.33% net margin).
  • VLO grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.68% vs 7.21% CAGR).
  • WMB pays the higher dividend yield (2.87% vs 1.89%).

Which is better, VLO or WMB?

Metric tally: VLO 10 · WMB 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueVLO(lower P/E)
GrowthVLO(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeWMB(higher dividend yield)
QualityVLO(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricVLOWMB
P/E ratio17.9531.22
Forward P/E11.7928.24
P/S ratio0.587.33
P/B ratio3.096.73
PEG ratio4.091.59
EV / EBITDA8.7216.47
FCF yield8.05%0.83%

Profitability

MetricVLOWMB
Gross margin7.24%62.85%
Operating margin4.61%38.79%
Net margin3.33%23.82%
ROE17.62%21.85%
ROIC7.12%6.16%

Dividends

MetricVLOWMB
Dividend yield1.89%2.87%
Payout ratio61.56%95.79%

Growth (annualized)

MetricVLOWMB
Revenue CAGR (5Y)14.68%7.21%
EPS CAGR (5Y)4.39%65.97%
FCF CAGR (5Y)67.44%-21.34%
Total return CAGR (5Y)28.87%26.55%

Frequently asked

Which is better, VLO or WMB?
It depends on your goal. value: VLO (lower P/E); growth: VLO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: WMB (higher dividend yield); quality: VLO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, VLO leads 10 to 7.
Is VLO or WMB cheaper?
On trailing earnings, VLO is cheaper: VLO trades at a 17.95 P/E and WMB at 31.22.
Which has grown faster, VLO or WMB?
Over the past five years, VLO grew revenue faster — VLO at a 14.68% CAGR versus WMB at 7.21%.
Does VLO or WMB pay a bigger dividend?
VLO yields 1.89% and WMB yields 2.87% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is VLO or WMB more profitable?
WMB runs the higher net margin — VLO at 3.33% versus WMB at 23.82%.
Which has been the better investment, VLO or WMB?
Over the past 10-year, VLO delivered the higher annualized total return — VLO at 21.75% versus WMB at 18.94%. 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 15, 2026.