Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) vs Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM)

VLO leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Valero Energy Corporation and Exxon Mobil Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — VLO vs XOM

growth of $100 · last 30y
VLO +6209.0%XOM +604.1%VLO compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$6,309$704
VLO XOM

VLO vs XOM: by the numbers

  • XOM is the larger company ($609.33B vs $76.81B market cap).
  • VLO trades at the lower earnings multiple (18.79 vs 24.79 P/E).
  • XOM converts more revenue to profit (7.76% vs 3.33% net margin).
  • VLO grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.68% vs 12.49% CAGR).
  • XOM pays the higher dividend yield (2.78% vs 1.80%).

Which is better, VLO or XOM?

Metric tally: VLO 10 · XOM 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Valuation

MetricVLOXOM
P/E ratio18.7924.79
Forward P/E12.4514.15
P/S ratio0.611.89
P/B ratio3.232.42
PEG ratio4.282.05
EV / EBITDA9.1010.82
FCF yield7.69%3.06%

Profitability

MetricVLOXOM
Gross margin7.24%25.49%
Operating margin4.61%9.01%
Net margin3.33%7.76%
ROE17.62%9.95%
ROIC7.12%6.34%

Dividends

MetricVLOXOM
Dividend yield1.80%2.78%
Payout ratio61.56%61.26%

Growth (annualized)

MetricVLOXOM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)14.68%12.49%
EPS CAGR (5Y)4.39%12.08%
FCF CAGR (5Y)67.44%36.20%
Total return CAGR (5Y)30.36%23.23%

Frequently asked

Which is better, VLO or XOM?
It depends on your goal. value: VLO (lower P/E); growth: VLO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: XOM (higher dividend yield); quality: VLO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, VLO leads 10 to 7.
Is VLO or XOM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, VLO is cheaper: VLO trades at a 18.79 P/E and XOM at 24.79.
Which has grown faster, VLO or XOM?
Over the past five years, VLO grew revenue faster — VLO at a 14.68% CAGR versus XOM at 12.49%.
Does VLO or XOM pay a bigger dividend?
VLO yields 1.80% and XOM yields 2.78% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is VLO or XOM more profitable?
XOM runs the higher net margin — VLO at 3.33% versus XOM at 7.76%.
Which has been the better investment, VLO or XOM?
Over the past 10-year, VLO delivered the higher annualized total return — VLO at 21.79% versus XOM at 9.69%. 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 14, 2026.