Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) EPS in Q4 Should Surpass Expectations

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) should easily exceed analysts' estimates, says Barclays, which sees the company handily beating consensus.

Barclays says, "We expect VLO to report 4Q10 EPS of $0.49 compared to consensus expectations of $0.34 per share...We expect refining to report a profit of $600 million, compared to $571 million in 3Q10 and a loss of $184 mm in 4Q09...We expect throughput to average 2,455 mb/d, up 4% sequentially and 16% y-o-y...We expect realized refining margin to average $7.9/bl, compared to the 3Q10 level of $7.9/bl and 4Q09 level of $4.6/bl...We expect retail earnings to be $79 million, compared to $105 million in 3Q10 and $61 million in 4Q09...We expect ethanol earnings to be $59 million, compared to $47 million in 3Q10 and $94 million in 4Q09."

Barclays maintains an "Equalweight" rating on Valero Energy (VLO), which closed Monday at $24.41, up $0.28, or 1.16 percent. Barclays has a price target of $25 on Valero.