Good MorningThursday's session tested the ceasefire rally as oil climbed back above $100. The central tension shifted from relief to credibility: with Iran still controlling Strait of Hormuz transit and its Supreme Leader threatening retaliation, traders questioned whether the two-week truce can hold long enough to change the inflation picture. Software names resumed their slide even as the broader market held together.
The FOMC minutes from March landed with a hawkish edge, revealing that some officials see a case for rate increases if oil-driven inflation proves sticky. With core inflation still running well above the Fed's target, the minutes reinforced a higher-for-longer posture that gives rate-sensitive growth names little room to recover. Weekly jobless claims ticked higher but not enough to shift the conversation.
Meta firmed after expanding its CoreWeave AI cloud deal to $21 billion through 2032, reinforcing infrastructure spending as the one conviction trade left in tech. Delta beat expectations but warned of meaningful capacity cuts as fuel costs surged, setting the tone for airline earnings season. Palantir and the broader software sector sold off sharply on fresh AI-disruption fears. Traders are watching Friday's CPI print, the start of bank earnings, and weekend peace talks in Pakistan for signals on whether this ceasefire has legs. Featured: Small Colorado Company (Backed by Sam Altman) Could Save U.S. Power Grid (Ad) 
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Healthcare | |
The calendar says it’s spring, but investors can’t be blamed for feeling like it’s Groundhog Day: The economic issues impacting portfolios continue to persist this year. Just after a ceasefire between the United States and Iran was announced, providing an impactful market tailwin... Read the Full Story |
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From Our Partners | | Marc Chaikin, founder of Chaikin Analytics, says two forces - AI disruption and fracturing global trade - are triggering a historic wealth transfer already underway in 2026. Household names like Intuit (-57%), Boston Scientific (-49%), and Tractor Supply (-40%) are cratering, while lesser-known companies like Sandisk (+573%) and Rackspace (+444%) surge.
Chaikin has identified specific stocks he believes investors should sell before they fall further - and the names may surprise you. He's also pinpointing a company tapped as Nvidia's self-driving partner and a potential AI megadeal that could split into three high-growth stocks.
Stream his free presentation to get every buy and sell recommendation with no membership or credit card required. | | Watch Marc Chaikin's free presentation and get his full buy-and-sell list today |
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Consumer Discretionary | | The race to dominate the electric vehicle (EV) market has reached a pivotal moment. After years of unchecked optimism, the industry now confronts the realities of higher interest rates and more selective consumer demand, forcing automakers to adjust their game plans. In this demanding climate, simpl... Read the Full Story |
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Consumer Discretionary | |
Flutter Entertainment (NYSE: FLUT), a dominant force in online sports betting, has been one of the market's hardest-hit stocks over recent months.
Overall, shares of the consumer discretionary company are down over 50% in 2026, and have fallen more than 60% from their 52-week high.
The most notable... Read the Full Story |
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From Our Partners | | TradeSmith CEO Keith Kaplan warns that AI's rapid rise has a dark side, threatening American jobs and livelihoods. He says now is the time to prepare before September 30th.
TradeSmith has invested $17 million in AI tools and built a platform used by 180,000 traders worldwide. One user, Stephen, credits it with building a $2.95 million retirement portfolio. | | See where Kaplan says to move your money before September 30th |
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Industrials | |
Delta Air Lines' (NYSE: DAL) stock price surged on April 8 for two disparate reasons coincidentally occurring within a short 18-hour timespan. The first was Trump’s ceasefire deal with Iran. While sketchy, it promised at least a brief interlude in conflict, clearing the skies for travel stoc... Read the Full Story |
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Industrials | | Dividend growth stocks may be worth a closer look heading toward the midpoint of 2026, given extreme geopolitical turbulence and concerns about inflation or a recession that are sending skittish investors running from riskier plays. These companies may have a dual appeal for investors trying to bala... Read the Full Story |
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From Our Partners | | Gold is hitting record highs, but most investors are leaving income on the table. A $15 fund is quietly paying out up to $1,152 a month to regular investors - no mining stocks, no options, no physical metal required.
Chief Income Strategist Tim Plaehn calls it a breakthrough strategy that transforms gold's rally into reliable monthly payouts. The next distribution is just days away. | | Discover the gold income fund before the next payout date |
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Technology | | Investors may not have heard much about Lumentum Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: LITE) in the mainstream financial press in 2025, but that’s going to change. LITE is up more than 1,500% in the last 12 months, and two newsworthy catalysts will make the company hard to ignore as part of the ongoing artificial ... Read the Full Story |
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Technology | |
In a market wrestling with indecision and reacting to every geopolitical headline, Strategy (NASDAQ: MSTR) has chosen to act with resounding clarity.
Strategy, a pioneer in weaving Bitcoin (BTC) into its corporate identity, has forcefully re-entered the market, acquiring an additional 4,871 bitcoin... Read the Full Story |
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Markets | |
With the price of crude oil futures rising to the highest level in years amid the Iran war, investors may be looking to strategically shift their allocations to take advantage of the spike. While commodities trading or individual oil stocks are appealing to more active investors, others may look f... Read the Full Story |
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Consumer Discretionary | |
Tech giant Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN) has been one of the more frustrating large-cap stocks to own over the past year or so. Shares are currently trading around $220, the same level they were at in late 2024, meaning the stock has effectively gone nowhere during a period where the S&P 500 ... Read the Full Story |
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Communication Services | | A multi-billion-dollar wave of foreign capital is poised to reshape the American media landscape. Two of Hollywood's most iconic names, Paramount (NASDAQ: PSKY) and Warner Bros. (NASDAQ: WBD), are at the center of a monumental shift, backed by an unprecedented $24 billion equity commitment from Gulf... Read the Full Story |
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Friday's Early Bird Stock Of The Day Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, Mexico, Peru, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol. The company produces California Reformulated Gasoline Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending and Conventional Blendstock for Oxygenate Blending gasolines, CARB diesel, diesel, jet fuel, heating oil, and asphalt; feedstocks; aromatics; sulfur and residual fuel oil; intermediate oils; and sulfur, sweet, and sour crude oils. It sells its refined products through wholesale rack and bulk markets; and through outlets under the Valero, Beacon, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock, Ultramar, and Texaco brands. The company owns and operates renewable diesel and ethanol plants, as well as produces renewable diesel and naphtha under the Diamond Green Diesel brand name. In addition, it offers ethanol and various co-products, including dry distiller grains, syrup, and inedible distillers corn oil to animal feed customers. The company was formerly known as Valero Refining and Marketing Company and changed its name to Valero Energy Corporation in August 1997. Valero Energy Corporation was founded in 1980 and is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. | Should I Buy Valero Energy Stock? VLO Bull and Bear Case Explained
These insights were generated using artificial intelligence. They are based on proprietary MarketBeat data, news articles, and custom LLM A.I. algorithms. This analysis of Valero Energy was last updated on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 6:19 PM.
Valero Energy Bull Case -
The company recently reported earnings per share significantly above expectations, indicating strong financial performance and potential for continued growth.
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Valero Energy Co. has shown impressive revenue growth, with a year-over-year increase of nearly 50%, suggesting robust demand for its products.
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The current stock price is around $300, reflecting positive market sentiment and potential for appreciation as the company continues to perform well.
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Valero Energy Co. has a solid dividend payout ratio, which indicates a commitment to returning value to shareholders through regular dividends.
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Analysts have upgraded their ratings on the stock, with several firms issuing strong buy recommendations, which can signal confidence in the company's future prospects.
Valero Energy Bear Case -
Despite strong earnings, the stock has seen fluctuations, which may indicate volatility and risk for investors looking for stable returns.
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Insider selling activity has been noted, which could raise concerns about the confidence of company executives in the stock's future performance.
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The company operates in a highly competitive industry, which can impact profit margins and market share, especially during economic downturns.
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Valero Energy Co. has a relatively low dividend yield compared to some peers, which may not attract income-focused investors.
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Market conditions, such as fluctuating oil prices, can significantly affect the company's profitability and stock performance, introducing an element of uncertainty.
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