LNG vs. VLO: Cheniere Energy vs. Valero Energy Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do Cheniere Energy (LNG) and Valero Energy (VLO) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Cheniere Energy (LNG) and Valero Energy (VLO) both belong to the Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels industry, though LNG is classified under Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation while VLO falls under Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing.

Company profile comparison for Cheniere Energy (LNG) and Valero Energy (VLO)
Profile Item	LNG	VLO
Name	Cheniere Energy Inc.	Valero Energy Corporation
Country/Region	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Energy	Energy
GICS Industry Group	Energy	Energy
GICS Industry	Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels	Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels
GICS Sub-Industry	Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation	Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing
Market Capitalization	56.76 billion USD	96.62 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	April 4, 1994	January 4, 1982
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

LNG

VLO

GSPC

Cheniere Energy (LNG) vs. Valero Energy (VLO), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Cheniere Energy (LNG) and Valero Energy (VLO). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Cheniere Energy (LNG) and Valero Energy (VLO). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Cheniere Energy (LNG) and Valero Energy (VLO)
Metric	LNG	VLO
Total Return (1Y)	36.89%	107.71%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	19.36%	47.89%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	22.59%	39.74%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

LNG

VLO

GSPC

Cheniere Energy (LNG) vs. Valero Energy (VLO), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Cheniere Energy (LNG) and Valero Energy (VLO). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Cheniere Energy (LNG) and Valero Energy (VLO)
Metric	LNG	VLO
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	31.41%	39.31%
Beta (5Y)	0.06	0.60
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-24.87%	-41.22%
Avg. Volume (3M)	2.00M	3.05M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

LNG and VLO are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Cheniere Energy (LNG) and Valero Energy (VLO)
Metric	LNG	VLO
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	1.04	2.63
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	1.54	4.08

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Cheniere Energy (LNG) at 39.68% and Valero Energy (VLO) at 46.87% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.

LNG

Energy industry group

39.68%

Max: 53.85%
LNG: 39.68%
Q3: 24.79%
Median: 12.85%
Q1: 2.03%
Min: -29.09%

VLO

Energy industry group

46.87%

Max: 53.85%
VLO: 46.87%
Q3: 24.79%
Median: 12.85%
Q1: 2.03%
Min: -29.09%

Cheniere Energy (LNG) vs. Valero Energy (VLO): A comparison of their ROE against the Energy industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Cheniere Energy (LNG) at 13.40% and Valero Energy (VLO) at 8.83% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.

LNG

Energy industry group

13.40%

Max: 56.92%
Q3: 22.92%
LNG: 13.40%
Median: 10.10%
Q1: 0.07%
Min: -27.38%

VLO

Energy industry group

8.83%

Max: 56.92%
Q3: 22.92%
Median: 10.10%
VLO: 8.83%
Q1: 0.07%
Min: -27.38%

Cheniere Energy (LNG) vs. Valero Energy (VLO): A comparison of their net margin against the Energy industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Cheniere Energy (LNG) at 30.82% and Valero Energy (VLO) at 20.47% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.

LNG

Energy industry group

30.82%

Max: 71.31%
Q3: 33.75%
LNG: 30.82%
Median: 18.73%
Q1: 6.94%
Min: -24.52%

VLO

Energy industry group

20.47%

Max: 71.31%
Q3: 33.75%
VLO: 20.47%
Median: 18.73%
Q1: 6.94%
Min: -24.52%

Cheniere Energy (LNG) vs. Valero Energy (VLO): A comparison of their operating margin against the Energy industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Cheniere Energy (LNG) and Valero Energy (VLO)
Metric	LNG	VLO
ROE (TTM)	39.68%	46.87%
ROA (TTM)	8.61%	17.68%
Net Margin (TTM)	13.40%	8.83%
Operating Margin (TTM)	30.82%	20.47%
Gross Margin (TTM)	34.89%	19.52%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Cheniere Energy (LNG) at 27.21% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while Valero Energy (VLO) at -5.54% is closer to the peer norm — faster top-line expansion for LNG.

Cheniere Energy (LNG) vs. Valero Energy (VLO): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Cheniere Energy (LNG) at 69.93% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Valero Energy (VLO) at -11.77% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for LNG.

Cheniere Energy (LNG) vs. Valero Energy (VLO): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Cheniere Energy (LNG) and Valero Energy (VLO)
Metric	LNG	VLO
Revenue Growth (YoY)	27.21%	-5.54%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	-15.77%	-11.40%
EPS Growth (YoY)	69.93%	-11.77%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	62.34%	-36.12%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Cheniere Energy (LNG) at 0.90 and Valero Energy (VLO) at 1.72 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

LNG

Energy industry group

0.90

Max: 3.64
Q3: 2.21
Median: 1.41
LNG: 0.90
Q1: 0.88
Min: 0.24

VLO

Energy industry group

1.72

Max: 3.64
Q3: 2.21
VLO: 1.72
Median: 1.41
Q1: 0.88
Min: 0.24

Cheniere Energy (LNG) vs. Valero Energy (VLO): A comparison of their current ratio against the Energy industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Valero Energy (VLO) at 0.35 is near its industry mid-range for debt-to-equity ratio, while Cheniere Energy (LNG) at 2.31 sits above its benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.

LNG

Energy industry group

2.31

LNG: 2.31
Max: 1.75
Q3: 0.93
Median: 0.54
Q1: 0.30
Min: 0.00

VLO

Energy industry group

0.35

Max: 1.75
Q3: 0.93
Median: 0.54
VLO: 0.35
Q1: 0.30
Min: 0.00

Cheniere Energy (LNG) vs. Valero Energy (VLO): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Energy industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Cheniere Energy (LNG) and Valero Energy (VLO)
Metric	LNG	VLO
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.90	1.72
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	2.31	0.35
Net Debt / EBITDA	3.26	0.06

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Cheniere Energy (LNG) at 0.82% and Valero Energy (VLO) at 1.35% pay solid, industry-typical yields, sitting squarely within their peers’ usual range.

LNG

Energy industry group

0.82%

Max: 8.57%
Q3: 3.58%
Median: 1.71%
LNG: 0.82%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

VLO

Energy industry group

1.35%

Max: 8.57%
Q3: 3.58%
Median: 1.71%
VLO: 1.35%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Cheniere Energy (LNG) vs. Valero Energy (VLO): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Energy industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both Cheniere Energy (LNG) at 15.80% and Valero Energy (VLO) at 10.76% keep payout ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges — dividend policies that share earnings without consuming too much of them.

LNG

Energy industry group

15.80%

Max: 133.24%
Q3: 53.31%
Median: 25.24%
LNG: 15.80%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

VLO

Energy industry group

10.76%

Max: 133.24%
Q3: 53.31%
Median: 25.24%
VLO: 10.76%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Cheniere Energy (LNG) vs. Valero Energy (VLO): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Energy industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Cheniere Energy (LNG) and Valero Energy (VLO)
Metric	LNG	VLO
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.82%	1.35%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	15.80%	10.76%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both Cheniere Energy (LNG) at 19.78 and Valero Energy (VLO) at 7.88 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.

LNG

Energy industry group

19.78

Max: 39.54
Q3: 21.72
LNG: 19.78
Median: 12.19
Q1: 7.71
Min: 2.99

VLO

Energy industry group

7.88

Max: 39.54
Q3: 21.72
Median: 12.19
VLO: 7.88
Q1: 7.71
Min: 2.99

Cheniere Energy (LNG) vs. Valero Energy (VLO): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Energy industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Valero Energy (VLO) at 0.66 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Cheniere Energy (LNG) at 2.50 prices around its industry’s middle — VLO costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

LNG

Energy industry group

2.50

Max: 5.40
Q3: 2.85
LNG: 2.50
Median: 1.69
Q1: 0.88
Min: 0.00

VLO

Energy industry group

0.66

Max: 5.40
Q3: 2.85
Median: 1.69
Q1: 0.88
VLO: 0.66
Min: 0.00

Cheniere Energy (LNG) vs. Valero Energy (VLO): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Energy industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Both look rich against book: Valero Energy (VLO) at 3.45 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and Cheniere Energy (LNG) at 8.70 prices even higher, above its industry range.

LNG

Energy industry group

8.70

LNG: 8.70
Max: 4.21
Q3: 2.38
Median: 1.51
Q1: 1.08
Min: 0.01

VLO

Energy industry group

3.45

Max: 4.21
VLO: 3.45
Q3: 2.38
Median: 1.51
Q1: 1.08
Min: 0.01

Cheniere Energy (LNG) vs. Valero Energy (VLO): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Energy industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Cheniere Energy (LNG) and Valero Energy (VLO)
Metric	LNG	VLO
P/E Ratio (TTM)	19.78	7.88
P/S Ratio (TTM)	2.50	0.66
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	8.70	3.45
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	3.17%	13.02%