HF Sinclair Forms Joint Venture with UPOP for Retail Expansion
HF Sinclair Corp's stock is down 17.03% in pre-market trading, hitting a 5-day low amid broader market gains with the Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500 both up slightly.
The decline comes despite HF Sinclair announcing a joint venture with UPOP Holdings to establish Green Trail Fuels, aiming to open 30 retail sites across Colorado and New Mexico. This partnership is expected to enhance HF Sinclair's brand presence and operational stability by supplying fuel from its nearby refineries, thereby increasing market share in the Rockies and Southwest. The executives emphasized that this venture represents a strategic advancement for its Marketing segment, aiming to accelerate the growth of the Sinclair brand.
The implications of this joint venture could be significant for HF Sinclair, as it not only expands its retail network but also leverages UPOP's market expertise to enhance brand recognition and customer loyalty. However, the stock's current decline suggests that investors may be reacting to broader market conditions or other uncertainties.
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- Surging Refining Margins: The ongoing Iran-U.S. conflict has led to a significant increase in refining margins, with gasoline crack spreads currently around $28 per barrel and diesel crack spreads reaching $67 per barrel, indicating substantial profit potential for refiners amid high demand and supply constraints.
- Historic Strategic Reserve Release: The International Energy Agency announced the release of 400 million barrels from strategic reserves by its 32 member nations, marking the largest coordinated release in its 51-year history, which propelled Brent crude prices above $93 and WTI up 6.1% to $88.56.
- Potential Earnings Windfall: U.S. refining capacity is projected to reach 18.4 million barrels per day by 2025, and with the current blended crack spread of $40 per barrel, this implies an annualized gross refining margin potential of $268 billion, or approximately $168 billion in a conservative scenario, highlighting the industry's immense profit opportunities.
- Strong Market Response: Historically, refining stocks have performed exceptionally well during supply tightness, as seen in 2004-2005 and 2022, where Valero Energy and HF Sinclair saw stock price increases of 239% and 265% respectively, suggesting that current market conditions could lead to similarly strong returns for refining equities.
- Oil Price Surge: Despite the International Energy Agency's unprecedented release of 400 million barrels from emergency reserves, crude prices surged, with WTI rising 6.1% to $88.56 per barrel and Brent up 6.0% to $93.06, indicating persistent market concerns over rising energy costs.
- Broad Market Decline: The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.1% to 47,190 for the second consecutive day, while the S&P 500 dropped 0.5% to 6,750 and the Nasdaq 100 slipped 0.3% to 24,890, reflecting a waning investor confidence in risk assets amid rising oil prices.
- Inflation Concerns Intensify: The 10-year Treasury yield rose to 4.22% despite February's CPI meeting expectations, suggesting heightened market anxiety over potential inflationary pressures in the coming months, which could influence monetary policy decisions.
- Private Credit Market Turmoil: Reports of JPMorgan Chase tightening lending to private credit funds and marking down loan values triggered a sharp selloff in alternative asset managers, highlighting increasing concerns over credit risk in the financial sector.
- Investigation Launched: Pomerantz LLP is investigating HF Sinclair Corporation and its executives for potential securities fraud or unlawful business practices, highlighting serious investor concerns regarding corporate governance.
- Executive Leave: On February 18, 2026, HF Sinclair announced CEO Tim Go's voluntary leave of absence without disclosing reasons, raising questions about the company's internal management.
- Stock Price Decline: Following the announcement, HF Sinclair's stock price fell by $6.28, a 10.86% drop, closing at $51.57 per share, reflecting investor anxiety about the company's future.
- Legal Action: Pomerantz LLP is advising investors to join the class action lawsuit, indicating market concerns over potential legal risks facing HF Sinclair, which could impact long-term shareholder value.
- Executive Leave Impact: HF Sinclair's CEO Tim Go announced a voluntary leave of absence on February 18, 2026, without disclosing reasons, leading to a stock price drop of $6.28, or 10.86%, closing at $51.57, indicating market concerns over corporate governance.
- Legal Investigation Initiated: Pomerantz LLP is investigating whether HF Sinclair and certain executives have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices, which could undermine investor confidence and lead to further legal repercussions.
- Investor Contact Information: Affected investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at Pomerantz LLP at 646-581-9980, highlighting the firm's expertise in securities class action litigation and its commitment to protecting investor rights.
- Company Background: Founded over 85 years ago, Pomerantz LLP is recognized for its excellence in corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation, having recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages for victims, showcasing its significant influence in the legal field.
- Fundraising Achievement: Sinclair Oil's Fueling Folds of Honor campaign raised over $1 million in fall 2025, showcasing strong support for families of fallen and disabled military and first responders, thereby enhancing the company's image in corporate social responsibility.
- Educational Support: The funds raised will provide 201 scholarships in 2026, helping families who have lost loved ones, reflecting Sinclair Oil's ongoing commitment to promoting educational equity and enhancing its social impact.
- Historical Contributions: Since the campaign's inception, Sinclair has raised a total of $3.1 million, supporting nearly 73,000 scholarships, which demonstrates the company's long-term dedication to education and further elevates its reputation within the community.
- Strategic Partnership: The collaboration with Folds of Honor not only enhances brand image but also brings positive community impact through educational funding, showcasing the strategic value of corporate social responsibility.










