VLO's Refining Rise: $500 Monthly Bets Could Fuel a Five-Year Return

Five years ago, Valero Energy Corporation $VLO shares were trading around $59.11 each. Today, it's closed at $174.14—a strong 195% gain that reflects steady demand for refined fuels, chemicals, and renewable diesel amid energy transitions. The chart illustrates a reliable upward grind from 2022 lows, with solid progress through 2025, and a 52-week high of $185.62 pointing to more capacity ahead.

In simple numbers, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is 24.12%. That's the average yearly boost that added up—calculated by taking the ending price over the starting one, raising it to the 1/5 power, and subtracting 1. It means growing your money by about 24% each year, on average.

Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) keeps the tank full: Invest $500 every month for five years, totaling $30,000. You buy more shares on price dips and fewer on peaks, which helps ride out the fluctuations. Projecting forward at the historical pace, with a monthly growth rate of about 1.82% from $174.14, your shares compound steadily.

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Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) keeps you airborne: You put $500 in every month for five years, After 60 months, your portfolio could reach $54,521. That's a gain of $24,521—a 82% return on your investment. The early buys get the biggest lift from compounding, while later ones still benefit from the flow.

This is drawn from the past, which isn't a sure bet going forward—oil refining can swing with crude prices and regulations, but a P/E ratio of 36.25 and 2.60% dividend yield add some stability.

With that 52-week high of $185.62 in view and a $53.11B market cap, VLO has endurance.

If DCA fits your even-keel plan, it could refine your $500 habit into a worthwhile reserve by 2030. Top off?