HF Sinclair Corporation (DINO) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?

Have you been paying attention to shares of HF Sinclair (DINO)? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 27.8% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $107.31 in the previous session. HF Sinclair has gained 130.2% since the start of the year compared to the 33.6% gain for the Zacks Oils-Energy sector and the 122.1% return for the Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry.

What's Driving the Outperformance?

The stock has a great record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on July 28, 2026, HF Sinclair reported EPS of $5.31 versus consensus estimate of $4.39 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 38.55%.

For the current fiscal year, HF Sinclair is expected to post earnings of $11.85 per share on $32.52 in revenues. This represents a 134.19% change in EPS on a 21.02% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $8.77 per share on $29.61 in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -25.99% and -8.93%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

While HF Sinclair has moved to its 52-week high over the past few weeks, investors need to be asking, what is next for the company? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company has run ahead of itself.

On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. Investors should consider the style scores a valuable tool that can help you to pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.

HF Sinclair has a Value Score of A. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and F, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 9X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 9X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 10.5X versus its peer group's average of 11.5X. This is good enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective, making HF Sinclair an interesting choice for value investors.

Zacks Rank

We also need to consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, HF Sinclair currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) thanks to favorable earnings estimate revisions from covering analysts.

Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if HF Sinclair passes the test. Thus, it seems as though HF Sinclair shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.

How Does DINO Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of DINO have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Valero Energy Corporation (VLO). VLO has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) and a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of C.

Earnings were strong last quarter. Valero Energy Corporation beat our consensus estimate by 27.05%, and for the current fiscal year, VLO is expected to post earnings of $40.70 per share on revenue of $146.63 billion.

Shares of Valero Energy Corporation have gained 21.1% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 8.99X and a P/CF of 16.97X.

The Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry is in the top 9% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for DINO and VLO, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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