10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2020

VALERO ENERGY CORP/TX Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Jun 30, 2020

Filed July 31, 2020For Securities:VLO

Summary

Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) reported its second quarter 2020 results, a period significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and volatile oil markets. Despite a challenging operating environment, the company reported a net income attributable to Valero stockholders of $1.3 billion for the quarter, a substantial increase from $612 million in the prior year period. This improvement was largely driven by a significant recovery in the Lower of Cost or Market (LCM) inventory valuation, which resulted in a $2.2 billion reversal of a prior quarter's writedown. However, excluding this inventory adjustment, the company's adjusted operating income showed a notable decline, reflecting reduced refining and ethanol segment margins and lower throughput volumes due to decreased demand. For the first six months of 2020, Valero reported a net loss of $598 million, a reversal from a net income of $753 million in the same period last year. This loss was also significantly influenced by inventory valuation adjustments. The company has taken proactive measures to navigate the economic downturn, including deferring capital projects, managing operating costs, and securing additional liquidity through a new revolving credit facility. Despite the ongoing uncertainties surrounding the pandemic and its economic effects, Valero expects an improvement in product prices and margins in the coming quarters.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$10.40B
Cost of Revenue$8.42B
Gross Profit$1.97B
Operating Income$1.79B
Interest Expense$142.00M
Net Income$1.25B
EPS (Basic)$3.07
EPS (Diluted)$3.07
Shares Outstanding (Basic)406.00M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)407.00M

Key Highlights

  • 1Net income attributable to Valero stockholders was $1.3 billion for Q2 2020, a significant increase from $612 million in Q2 2019, primarily driven by a $2.2 billion reversal of LCM inventory writedowns.
  • 2For the first six months of 2020, the company reported a net loss of $598 million, compared to a net income of $753 million in the same period of 2019.
  • 3Adjusted operating income (excluding LCM adjustments and other items) declined substantially in both the second quarter and first six months of 2020, reflecting challenging market conditions.
  • 4The refining segment experienced significant headwinds, with adjusted operating income decreasing due to lower gasoline and distillate margins and reduced throughput volumes.
  • 5The company maintained strong liquidity, ending the period with $7.7 billion in total liquidity, and proactively secured additional borrowing capacity through a new $875 million 364-day revolving credit facility.
  • 6Valero took steps to preserve cash, including deferring approximately $400 million in capital investments and suspending share repurchases under its stock purchase program since mid-March 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions

COVID-19 and volatile oil markets significantly impacted Valero's business, leading to reduced demand and lower prices for refined petroleum products and ethanol. This resulted in lower segment margins and throughput volumes, particularly in the refining and ethanol segments. The company reduced refinery processing and idled some units in response. Despite these challenges, the company reported a net income for the quarter, largely due to a significant recovery in inventory valuation.

In the first quarter of 2020, Valero recorded a $2.5 billion LCM inventory writedown due to falling market prices. In the second quarter of 2020, market prices recovered, leading to a $2.2 billion reversal of this writedown. This reversal significantly boosted reported net income for Q2 2020 to $1.3 billion, but it also masks the underlying operational challenges experienced by the business when excluding this item.

Valero is proactively managing its liquidity by taking several measures. These include deferring approximately $400 million in capital investments, reducing operating costs, suspending share repurchases, and securing an additional $875 million 364-day revolving credit facility. The company ended the period with $7.7 billion in total liquidity, indicating a strong position to navigate the ongoing economic uncertainties.

Valero expects an improvement in product prices and margins in the third quarter of 2020. This outlook is based on anticipated draws in excess product inventories, balancing of recovering demand with stabilizing refinery utilization, expected easing of OPEC production cuts, and improved diesel and ethanol prices. However, the company acknowledges that many uncertainties remain regarding the full economic impact of COVID-19.