PBF Energy's Stock Rises Amid Strong Crack Spread Performance
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 27 2026
0mins
Should l Buy PBF?
Source: Fool
PBF Energy Inc's stock price increased by 7.15% as it crossed above the 5-day SMA, reflecting strong market interest.
The company's 3-2-1 crack spread has widened significantly from $19.80 per barrel at the start of the year to $52, indicating robust profitability amid challenges faced by competitors in sourcing crude oil. This performance has attracted investor attention, particularly as oil prices approach $100 per barrel, leading to a favorable outlook for energy firms like PBF Energy.
As the energy sector grapples with high oil prices and supply disruptions, PBF Energy's strong crack spread positions it well for continued investor interest, despite potential risks from demand destruction.
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Analyst Views on PBF
Wall Street analysts forecast PBF stock price to fall
8 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
4 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 50.290
Low
23.00
Averages
33.63
High
42.00
Current: 50.290
Low
23.00
Averages
33.63
High
42.00
About PBF
PBF Energy Inc. is an independent refiner in North America, operating, through its subsidiaries, oil refineries and related facilities in California, Delaware, Louisiana, New Jersey and Ohio. The Company operates as a refiner and supplier of unbranded transportation fuels, heating oil, petrochemical feedstocks, lubricants, and other petroleum products. It operates through two segments: Refining and Logistics. The Refining segment includes the operations of its oil refineries and related facilities in Delaware City, Delaware, Paulsboro, New Jersey, Toledo, Ohio, Chalmette, Louisiana, Torrance, California and Martinez, California. The Logistics segment includes the operations of PBF Logistics LP, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of PBF Energy and PBF LLC, which owns or leases, operates, develops, and acquires crude oil and refined petroleum products terminals, pipelines, storage facilities, and similar logistics assets.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
PBF Energy Executive Sells 50,000 Shares
- Executive Stock Sale: On March 27, 2026, Paul T Davis, Senior Vice President of PBF Energy, sold 50,000 shares of the company, and while the specific sale price remains undisclosed, this action may indicate a cautious outlook on the company's future performance.
- Potential Market Reaction: Such executive sales often raise concerns about internal confidence in the company, potentially leading investors to develop negative sentiments towards PBF Energy's stock price, thereby impacting short-term market performance.
- Governance Scrutiny: The sale by an executive could prompt scrutiny regarding corporate governance, especially in the absence of transparency, as investors may question management's motives, which could affect the company's reputation.
- Investor Confidence Fluctuations: As news of the executive stock sale spreads, investors may reassess their holding strategies, leading to potential fluctuations in PBF Energy's stock price and impacting overall market sentiment.
See More
Analysis of XOP ETF Trading Dynamics
- Price Range Analysis: The XOP ETF has a 52-week low of $99.01 and a high of $190.36, with the last trade at $187.64, indicating significant volatility near its high, which may influence investor buying decisions.
- Technical Analysis Tool: Comparing the current share price to the 200-day moving average provides valuable insights for investors, helping to assess market trends and potential buy or sell opportunities.
- ETF Unit Trading Mechanism: ETFs trade similarly to stocks, where investors buy and sell 'units' that can be created or destroyed based on demand, impacting the ETF's liquidity and market performance.
- Inflows and Outflows Monitoring: Weekly monitoring of changes in shares outstanding helps identify ETFs experiencing notable inflows (new units created) or outflows (old units destroyed), which can significantly affect the performance of the underlying stocks within the ETF.
See More
PBF Energy Executive Sells 50,000 Shares of Stock
- Transaction Overview: Paul T Davis, Senior VP of PBF Energy, reported the sale of 50,000 shares of Class A Common Stock for approximately $2.24 million, indicating a liquidity event rather than a conventional sale.
- Ownership Change: Following the sale, Davis's direct holdings decreased by 21.42%, leaving him with 183,426 shares valued at about $8.22 million, reflecting a decline in his ownership stake in the company.
- Options Exercise: The transaction involved the exercise of 50,000 fully vested employee stock options, indicating that Davis retains 50,000 options for future Class A shares, preserving potential upside participation.
- Investor Focus: While Davis's transaction fits a long-established pattern of option exercises, investors should concentrate on PBF Energy's profitability recovery in the 2026 market landscape rather than on this routine executive trading activity.
See More
PBF Energy to Release Q1 2026 Earnings on April 30
- Earnings Release Announcement: PBF Energy has announced that it will release its Q1 2026 earnings on April 30, 2026, which is expected to provide key financial metrics reflecting the company's operational status and aiding investors in assessing future performance.
- Conference Call Details: The company will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET on the earnings release date, allowing investors to dial in at (800) 549-8228 or (646) 564-2877, enhancing engagement with stakeholders.
- Webcast Availability: The call will be webcast on PBF Energy's website, ensuring that global investors can access real-time updates on the company's latest developments, thereby improving transparency and information sharing.
- Company Background: PBF Energy is one of the largest independent refiners in North America, committed to safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible operations, while also partnering with St. Bernard Renewables in sustainable fuel production, showcasing its commitment to future energy transitions.
See More
Impact of Strait of Hormuz Closure on Oil Prices
- Crude Supply Tightness: The IEA reports that 25% of global seaborne oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, and the prospect of its closure has driven oil prices up, prompting investors to consider U.S. companies like Devon Energy and Diamondback Energy to mitigate supply risks and secure capital returns.
- LNG Trade Disruption: Approximately 20% of global LNG trade passes through the Strait, and its closure will lead to rising prices worldwide, particularly impacting Europe; investors might look to Norway's Equinor and Australia's Woodside Energy to fill the supply gap in Asia.
- Refining Profit Surge: Refining stocks such as PBF Energy and Valero Energy have seen significant gains in 2026, with the 3-2-1 crack spread soaring from $20 at the start of the year to over $58, indicating that Asian refiners are facing higher crude procurement costs due to product shortages from the Gulf.
- Fertilizer Price Surge: The blockade of the Strait has stranded many fertilizer-laden ships, causing prices to soar and severely impacting Asian and African countries reliant on Gulf fertilizers; investors are turning to U.S. producers like CF Industries to navigate the tightening global fertilizer supply situation.
See More
Closure of Strait of Hormuz Disrupts Global Energy Markets
- Oil Price Surge: The International Energy Agency reports that 25% of the world's seaborne oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, and its closure has led to a sharp increase in oil prices, destabilizing global energy markets, particularly affecting import-dependent nations.
- LNG Trade Disruption: Approximately 20% of global LNG trade passes through the Strait, and Iran's threats to energy infrastructure create uncertainty in LNG supply, potentially driving up global prices, especially pressuring the European market.
- Refining Sector Gains: Due to crude oil supply shortages, the refining crack spread has skyrocketed from $20 at the beginning of the year to $58, significantly boosting stocks of refining companies like PBF Energy and Valero Energy, indicating strong profit potential in the current market environment.
- Fertilizer Price Increases: The blockade of the Strait has left many fertilizer-laden ships stranded, causing fertilizer prices to soar, which poses a significant challenge for Asian and African countries reliant on Gulf fertilizers, prompting investors to focus on U.S. producers like CF Industries.
See More
PBF Energy Executive Sells 50,000 Shares
- Executive Stock Sale: On March 27, 2026, Paul T Davis, Senior Vice President of PBF Energy, sold 50,000 shares of the company, and while the specific sale price remains undisclosed, this action may indicate a cautious outlook on the company's future performance.
- Potential Market Reaction: Such executive sales often raise concerns about internal confidence in the company, potentially leading investors to develop negative sentiments towards PBF Energy's stock price, thereby impacting short-term market performance.
- Governance Scrutiny: The sale by an executive could prompt scrutiny regarding corporate governance, especially in the absence of transparency, as investors may question management's motives, which could affect the company's reputation.
- Investor Confidence Fluctuations: As news of the executive stock sale spreads, investors may reassess their holding strategies, leading to potential fluctuations in PBF Energy's stock price and impacting overall market sentiment.
See More
Analysis of XOP ETF Trading Dynamics
- Price Range Analysis: The XOP ETF has a 52-week low of $99.01 and a high of $190.36, with the last trade at $187.64, indicating significant volatility near its high, which may influence investor buying decisions.
- Technical Analysis Tool: Comparing the current share price to the 200-day moving average provides valuable insights for investors, helping to assess market trends and potential buy or sell opportunities.
- ETF Unit Trading Mechanism: ETFs trade similarly to stocks, where investors buy and sell 'units' that can be created or destroyed based on demand, impacting the ETF's liquidity and market performance.
- Inflows and Outflows Monitoring: Weekly monitoring of changes in shares outstanding helps identify ETFs experiencing notable inflows (new units created) or outflows (old units destroyed), which can significantly affect the performance of the underlying stocks within the ETF.
See More
PBF Energy Executive Sells 50,000 Shares of Stock
- Transaction Overview: Paul T Davis, Senior VP of PBF Energy, reported the sale of 50,000 shares of Class A Common Stock for approximately $2.24 million, indicating a liquidity event rather than a conventional sale.
- Ownership Change: Following the sale, Davis's direct holdings decreased by 21.42%, leaving him with 183,426 shares valued at about $8.22 million, reflecting a decline in his ownership stake in the company.
- Options Exercise: The transaction involved the exercise of 50,000 fully vested employee stock options, indicating that Davis retains 50,000 options for future Class A shares, preserving potential upside participation.
- Investor Focus: While Davis's transaction fits a long-established pattern of option exercises, investors should concentrate on PBF Energy's profitability recovery in the 2026 market landscape rather than on this routine executive trading activity.
See More
PBF Energy to Release Q1 2026 Earnings on April 30
- Earnings Release Announcement: PBF Energy has announced that it will release its Q1 2026 earnings on April 30, 2026, which is expected to provide key financial metrics reflecting the company's operational status and aiding investors in assessing future performance.
- Conference Call Details: The company will host a conference call at 8:30 a.m. ET on the earnings release date, allowing investors to dial in at (800) 549-8228 or (646) 564-2877, enhancing engagement with stakeholders.
- Webcast Availability: The call will be webcast on PBF Energy's website, ensuring that global investors can access real-time updates on the company's latest developments, thereby improving transparency and information sharing.
- Company Background: PBF Energy is one of the largest independent refiners in North America, committed to safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible operations, while also partnering with St. Bernard Renewables in sustainable fuel production, showcasing its commitment to future energy transitions.
See More
Impact of Strait of Hormuz Closure on Oil Prices
- Crude Supply Tightness: The IEA reports that 25% of global seaborne oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, and the prospect of its closure has driven oil prices up, prompting investors to consider U.S. companies like Devon Energy and Diamondback Energy to mitigate supply risks and secure capital returns.
- LNG Trade Disruption: Approximately 20% of global LNG trade passes through the Strait, and its closure will lead to rising prices worldwide, particularly impacting Europe; investors might look to Norway's Equinor and Australia's Woodside Energy to fill the supply gap in Asia.
- Refining Profit Surge: Refining stocks such as PBF Energy and Valero Energy have seen significant gains in 2026, with the 3-2-1 crack spread soaring from $20 at the start of the year to over $58, indicating that Asian refiners are facing higher crude procurement costs due to product shortages from the Gulf.
- Fertilizer Price Surge: The blockade of the Strait has stranded many fertilizer-laden ships, causing prices to soar and severely impacting Asian and African countries reliant on Gulf fertilizers; investors are turning to U.S. producers like CF Industries to navigate the tightening global fertilizer supply situation.
See More
Closure of Strait of Hormuz Disrupts Global Energy Markets
- Oil Price Surge: The International Energy Agency reports that 25% of the world's seaborne oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, and its closure has led to a sharp increase in oil prices, destabilizing global energy markets, particularly affecting import-dependent nations.
- LNG Trade Disruption: Approximately 20% of global LNG trade passes through the Strait, and Iran's threats to energy infrastructure create uncertainty in LNG supply, potentially driving up global prices, especially pressuring the European market.
- Refining Sector Gains: Due to crude oil supply shortages, the refining crack spread has skyrocketed from $20 at the beginning of the year to $58, significantly boosting stocks of refining companies like PBF Energy and Valero Energy, indicating strong profit potential in the current market environment.
- Fertilizer Price Increases: The blockade of the Strait has left many fertilizer-laden ships stranded, causing fertilizer prices to soar, which poses a significant challenge for Asian and African countries reliant on Gulf fertilizers, prompting investors to focus on U.S. producers like CF Industries.
See More
