Insider Activity Spotlight: Valero Energy Corp’s Recent Trades
The latest form 4 filing from Valero Energy Corp. reveals a flurry of transactions by SVP Eric A. Fisher on January 21, 2026. Fisher purchased 15 k shares of common stock at the market price of $187.11 and, within the same day, sold 8 k shares and a bundle of performance shares. The net effect was a modest increase in his holdings to roughly 57 k shares, an uptick of about 7 % from the 52‑week low. This activity coincides with a 1.98 % weekly gain and a 13.75 % monthly rally, positioning Valero at a 52‑week high of $193.33.
Implications for Investors
The timing and volume of Fisher’s trades suggest a confidence in Valero’s near‑term outlook. His buys align with the company’s recent dividend hike to $1.20 per share and a strategic procurement of Venezuelan crude, both designed to bolster margins and shareholder returns. For investors, these moves can be read as an endorsement of the company’s operational strategy and a signal that senior management is comfortable with the current valuation. However, the simultaneous sales of performance shares indicate a partial liquidity take‑away, which could be interpreted as a portfolio rebalancing exercise rather than a signal of weak prospects.
What This Means for Valero’s Future
Valero’s recent performance shares settlements—ranging from 150 % to 200 % of base value—highlight the company’s commitment to tying executive compensation to long‑term performance. The sizable volume of these settlements suggests that executives are benefiting from the company’s recent profitability, potentially reinforcing a culture of performance alignment. In the broader energy sector, Valero’s acquisition of discounted Venezuelan crude provides a hedge against supply volatility, a move that could sustain margins even amid tightening global oil supply. Investors should monitor whether this supply advantage translates into consistent earnings growth, which would justify the current 39.46 price‑earnings ratio.
Profile of Eric A. Fisher
Fisher has a history of disciplined trading. His last major sale in November 2025 involved 1 750 shares, reducing his stake from 43 k to 43 k shares—a slight dip that mirrored a broader market dip. The current purchase, combined with the sale of performance shares, indicates a pattern of balancing liquidity needs with confidence in Valero’s trajectory. Fisher’s transactions are typically executed at market price, suggesting no significant insider sentiment beyond a neutral or slightly bullish stance. The 66‑point positive sentiment score and 264‑percent buzz around the current trade reflect heightened media attention, likely driven by Valero’s strategic moves rather than Fisher’s personal motives.
Conclusion
For financial professionals and investors, the recent insider activity at Valero Energy Corp signals a cautiously optimistic outlook from senior management. The combination of a dividend increase, strategic crude sourcing, and performance‑share settlements positions the company for steady growth. Fisher’s trades reinforce this narrative, offering a subtle nod to the company’s prospects while maintaining prudent portfolio management. As Valero continues to navigate the energy market’s volatility, these insider moves will be a key barometer for shareholder confidence.
| Date | Owner | Transaction Type | Shares | Price per Share | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-21 | Fisher Eric A (SVP) | Buy | 3,861.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Fisher Eric A (SVP) | Buy | 262.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Fisher Eric A (SVP) | Buy | 4,792.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Fisher Eric A (SVP) | Buy | 4,158.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Fisher Eric A (SVP) | Sell | 5,190.00 | 190.33 | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Fisher Eric A (SVP) | Sell | 3,941.00 | 190.33 | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Fisher Eric A (SVP) | Sell | 2,066.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |
| 2026-01-21 | Fisher Eric A (SVP) | Sell | 140.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |
| 2026-01-21 | Fisher Eric A (SVP) | Sell | 2,290.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |
| 2026-01-21 | Fisher Eric A (SVP) | Sell | 2,707.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |
| 2026-01-21 | Simmons Gary K. (EVP & COO) | Buy | 5,673.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Simmons Gary K. (EVP & COO) | Buy | 2,165.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Simmons Gary K. (EVP & COO) | Buy | 10,457.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Simmons Gary K. (EVP & COO) | Buy | 9,251.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Simmons Gary K. (EVP & COO) | Sell | 10,882.00 | 190.33 | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Simmons Gary K. (EVP & COO) | Sell | 8,330.00 | 190.33 | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Simmons Gary K. (EVP & COO) | Sell | 3,036.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |
| 2026-01-21 | Simmons Gary K. (EVP & COO) | Sell | 1,158.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |
| 2026-01-21 | Simmons Gary K. (EVP & COO) | Sell | 4,997.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |
| 2026-01-21 | Simmons Gary K. (EVP & COO) | Sell | 6,024.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |
| 2026-01-21 | Walsh Richard Joe (EVP & GC) | Buy | 4,310.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Walsh Richard Joe (EVP & GC) | Buy | 5,280.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Walsh Richard Joe (EVP & GC) | Buy | 5,351.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Walsh Richard Joe (EVP & GC) | Sell | 5,923.00 | 190.33 | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Walsh Richard Joe (EVP & GC) | Sell | 4,507.00 | 190.33 | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Walsh Richard Joe (EVP & GC) | Sell | 2,306.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |
| 2026-01-21 | Walsh Richard Joe (EVP & GC) | Sell | 2,523.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |
| 2026-01-21 | Walsh Richard Joe (EVP & GC) | Sell | 3,484.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |
| 2026-01-21 | Riggs R. Lane (CEO & President) | Buy | 13,721.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Riggs R. Lane (CEO & President) | Buy | 5,576.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Riggs R. Lane (CEO & President) | Buy | 28,799.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Riggs R. Lane (CEO & President) | Buy | 24,136.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Riggs R. Lane (CEO & President) | Sell | 28,457.00 | 190.33 | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Riggs R. Lane (CEO & President) | Sell | 21,886.00 | 190.33 | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Riggs R. Lane (CEO & President) | Sell | 7,343.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |
| 2026-01-21 | Riggs R. Lane (CEO & President) | Sell | 2,984.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |
| 2026-01-21 | Riggs R. Lane (CEO & President) | Sell | 13,763.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |
| 2026-01-21 | Riggs R. Lane (CEO & President) | Sell | 15,717.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |
| 2026-01-21 | Bhullar Harminder S. (SVP & CFO) | Buy | 1,974.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Bhullar Harminder S. (SVP & CFO) | Buy | 2,246.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Bhullar Harminder S. (SVP & CFO) | Buy | 2,064.00 | N/A | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Bhullar Harminder S. (SVP & CFO) | Sell | 2,517.00 | 190.33 | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Bhullar Harminder S. (SVP & CFO) | Sell | 1,882.00 | 190.33 | Common Stock |
| 2026-01-21 | Bhullar Harminder S. (SVP & CFO) | Sell | 1,056.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |
| 2026-01-21 | Bhullar Harminder S. (SVP & CFO) | Sell | 1,073.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |
| 2026-01-21 | Bhullar Harminder S. (SVP & CFO) | Sell | 1,344.00 | N/A | Performance Shares |




