Shares of Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) traded today at $45.60, breaking its 52-week high. This new high was reached on below average trading volume as 3.8 million shares traded hands, while the average 30-day volume is approximately 9.5 million shares.

Valero Energy share prices have moved between a 52-week high of $45.60 and a 52-week low of $20.00 and are now trading 128% above that low price at $45.55 per share. Over the last five market days, the 200-day moving average (MA) has gone up 1.1% while the 50-day MA has advanced 2.5%.

Valero Energy Corporation is an independent petroleum refining and marketing company that owns and operates refineries in the United States, Canada, and Aruba. The Company produces conventional gasolines, distillates, jet fuel, asphalt, petrochemicals, lubricants, and other refined products as well as diesel fuel, low-sulfur and ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel, and oxygenates.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) has potential upside of 3.3% based on a current price of $45.55 and analysts' consensus price target of $47.06. The stock should find initial support at its 50-day moving average (MA) of $35.11 and further support at its 200-day MA of $28.92.

SmarTrend recommended that subscribers consider buying shares of Valero Energy on November 21st, 2012 as our proprietary SmarTrend analytics indicated a new Uptrend was in progress when shares hit $30.91. Since that recommendation, shares of Valero Energy have risen 45.3%. We continue to monitor VLO for any potential shift so investors can protect gains and will alert SmarTrend subscribers immediately.