In the following video, Motley Fool energy analysts Joel South and Taylor Muckerman discuss two major U.S. refiners, Marathon Petroleum (MPC 0.06%) and Valero Energy (VLO 0.21%), after earnings were released, and investigate why the shrinking WTI-Brent spread may be depressing their stock prices, despite strong quarters for each. Joel gives investors the key things to watch to know if margins in these companies, and across the sector as a whole, may slip downward as the crude price spread continues to narrow. He also ponders how you'll know whether you should stay in, or if it's time to get out.
Crude Oil Spread Disappearing: What to Expect From Refiners?
By Joel South and Taylor Muckerman – Apr 30, 2013 at 4:59PM
NYSE: VLO
Valero Energy

Market Cap
$52B
Today's Change
(-0.21%) $0.36
Current Price
$170.30
Price as of October 30, 2025 at 3:58 PM ET
Is this going to kill margins and end the U.S. refining boom?
About the Author
Joel is a University of Washington graduate and covers energy and materials for The Motley Fool. Be sure to follow The Motley Fool's energy and materials Twitter for all your energy and materials coverage. 
Follow @tmfenergy
