Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Could Become A Multi-Bagger

Finding a business that has the potential to grow substantially is not easy, but it is possible if we look at a few key financial metrics. One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing amount of capital employed. Put simply, these types of businesses are compounding machines, meaning they are continually reinvesting their earnings at ever-higher rates of return. Speaking of which, we noticed some great changes in Valero Energy’s (NYSE:VLO) returns on capital, so let’s have a look.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

For those who don’t know, ROCE is a measure of a company’s yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. To calculate this metric for Valero Energy, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) ÷ (Total Assets – Current Liabilities)

0.41 = US$18b ÷ (US$60b – US$15b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2023).

Therefore, Valero Energy has an ROCE of 41%. That’s a fantastic return and not only that, it outpaces the average of 23% earned by companies in a similar industry.

See our latest analysis for Valero Energy

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roce

In the above chart we have measured Valero Energy’s prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you’re interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

What Can We Tell From Valero Energy’s ROCE Trend?

Valero Energy is showing promise given that its ROCE is trending up and to the right. Looking at the data, we can see that even though capital employed in the business has remained relatively flat, the ROCE generated has risen by 311% over the last five years. So it’s likely that the business is now reaping the full benefits of its past investments, since the capital employed hasn’t changed considerably. The company is doing well in that sense, and it’s worth investigating what the management team has planned for long term growth prospects.

The Bottom Line On Valero Energy’s ROCE

As discussed above, Valero Energy appears to be getting more proficient at generating returns since capital employed has remained flat but earnings (before interest and tax) are up. Investors may not be impressed by the favorable underlying trends yet because over the last five years the stock has only returned 15% to shareholders. So exploring more about this stock could uncover a good opportunity, if the valuation and other metrics stack up.

On a separate note, we’ve found 1 warning sign for Valero Energy you’ll probably want to know about.

High returns are a key ingredient to strong performance, so check out our free list ofstocks earning high returns on equity with solid balance sheets.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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