Valero Energy Corp (VLO)

[Timothy Smith]

Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE: VLO: $25) has been picked by S&P Capital IQ as its Focus Stock of the Week. VLO carries S&P Capital IQ's highest investment recommendation of 5-STARS, or Strong Buy.

"We believe that Valero Energy is poised to benefit from the unprecedented secular changes that are occurring in the North American refining space, driven by crude oil production from U.S. shale plays and the Canadian oil sands," said Tanjila Shafi, equity analyst at S&P Capital IQ. "We are positive on the company's significant presence in the Gulf Coast, where most of the North American crude oil production is heading."