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DK vs PBF
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Delek US Holdings (DK) vs. PBF Energy (PBF) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both DK and PBF operate in the downstream refining sector, making them direct competitors sensitive to similar macroeconomic forces, including crude oil spreads and fuel demand trends.
- Delek US Holdings has faced operational headwinds in recent quarters, including unplanned refinery downtime and margin compression, which have weighed on its stock performance.
- PBF Energy has demonstrated stronger relative resilience, supported by a more diversified refining footprint and comparatively better capacity utilization across its facilities.
- Both stocks have underperformed the broader energy sector in recent months, but PBF has held up better on a relative basis, reflecting differences in operational execution and balance sheet positioning.
- AI-driven analysis from Tickeron's platform suggests a measurable divergence in trend consistency and momentum between the two names, with one showing clearer directional signals.
- Investors weighing exposure to independent refiners should consider the contrasting risk profiles, geographic concentration, and capital allocation strategies of each company.
Introduction
The independent refining industry remains one of the most cyclical and capital-intensive corners of the energy market. DK (Delek US Holdings) and PBF (PBF Energy) are two prominent U.S.-based downstream operators that transform crude oil into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other refined products. While both companies compete in the same sector, their geographic footprints, operational histories, and financial strategies differ meaningfully. This comparison is particularly relevant for energy-focused investors and traders seeking to understand which refining stock may be better positioned in the current market environment, where crack spreads, regulatory developments, and global demand patterns are all in flux.
DK Overview and Recent Performance
Delek US Holdings is a diversified downstream energy company with refining, logistics, and retail operations concentrated primarily in the southern and central United States. Its refining system includes facilities in Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana, with a combined crude throughput capacity of approximately 302,000 barrels per day. In recent weeks, DK shares have been under noticeable pressure. The company has contended with operational disruptions, including unplanned maintenance at key facilities, which have crimped throughput and pressured margins. Additionally, weaker Gulf Coast crack spreads (the price difference between crude oil and refined products) have compressed profitability. Market sentiment has also been shaped by concerns around the company's balance sheet leverage relative to peers and the pace of its renewable diesel expansion, which represents a strategic pivot but carries execution risk. These factors have contributed to a period of relative underperformance for DK compared to the broader refining peer group.
PBF Overview and Recent Performance
PBF Energy is one of the largest independent petroleum refiners in the United States, operating six refineries across the country with a total throughput capacity of roughly 1 million barrels per day. Its facilities are geographically diversified, spanning the East Coast, Midwest, Gulf Coast, and West Coast — a footprint that provides some insulation against regional margin dislocations. In recent market activity, PBF has faced the same macroeconomic headwinds affecting the entire refining sector, including moderating crack spreads and global demand uncertainty. However, the company's performance has held up better than some smaller peers, in part due to its scale and ability to optimize across multiple refining complexes. PBF has also benefited from relatively disciplined capital management, share buybacks, and efforts to strengthen its balance sheet. While PBF shares have not been immune to sector-wide selling pressure, the stock's relative stability reflects a perception among investors that its diversified asset base and financial positioning offer a degree of resilience.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
When comparing DK and PBF directly, several differentiating factors emerge. In terms of scale, PBF Energy operates roughly triple the refining capacity of Delek, giving it greater operational flexibility and economies of scale. Geographically, PBF's coast-to-coast presence contrasts with Delek's more concentrated mid-continent and Gulf Coast footprint, which can leave DK more exposed to regional pricing dislocations and weather-related disruptions. On the financial side, both companies have worked to reduce leverage, but PBF's larger market capitalization and cash flow generation provide it with more balance sheet headroom for shareholder returns and strategic investments. From a growth perspective, Delek's push into renewable diesel through its subsidiary represents a notable diversification effort, though it introduces capital intensity and execution risk. PBF has been more conservative on the renewable transition, prioritizing operational efficiency and cash returns. In terms of recent momentum, PBF has exhibited relatively more stable price action and stronger trend signals, while DK has experienced sharper drawdowns and higher volatility, reflecting the market's reaction to its operational challenges.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors evaluated by Tickeron's AI-powered analytical framework, PBF currently appears to present a more favorable profile relative to DK. The AI's assessment weighs trend consistency, relative strength, and volatility-adjusted momentum — areas where PBF has demonstrated a marginal edge in recent months. PBF's diversified asset base provides more consistent signal generation, while Delek's operational volatility has introduced noise that AI models tend to penalize in comparative ranking systems. Additionally, the presence of fewer disruptive catalysts for PBF in the near term supports steadier probabilistic modeling. That said, this analysis reflects a snapshot in time and is inherently probabilistic; shifts in crude differentials, regulatory developments, or company-specific events could alter the picture. Traders and investors are encouraged to monitor both stocks through AI-driven tools that continuously reassess market conditions rather than relying on static conclusions.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is DK is a Buy and PBF is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
DK’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whilePBF’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- DK’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- PBF’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
DK’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while PBF’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- DK’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- PBF’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
DK (@Oil Refining/Marketing) experienced а +7.39% price change this week, while PBF (@Oil Refining/Marketing) price change was +17.28% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Oil Refining/Marketing industry was +3.50%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +17.51%, and the average quarterly price growth was +44.35%.
Reported Earning Dates
DK is expected to report earnings on Aug 05, 2026.
PBF is expected to report earnings on Oct 29, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Oil Refining/Marketing (+3.50% weekly)The Oil Refining/Marketing segment includes companies that refine crude oil into a number of petroleum products, including gasoline, jet fuel and diesel, and then sell the usable products to the end users. These companies are involved in what’s called downstream operations in the oil business. They also engage in the marketing and distribution of crude oil and natural gas products. In other words, the downstream oil and gas business is focused on post-production processes of crude oil and natural gas. When oil prices slump, downstream businesses are hurt less or in some cases even benefit, since their purchase cost of crude oil goes down. Some of the biggest U.S. oil refining/marketing companies include Phillips 66, Marathon Petroleum Corporation and Valero Energy Corp.
| DK | PBF | DK / PBF | |
| Capitalization | 4.16B | 8.57B | 49% |
| EBITDA | 730M | 2.66B | 27% |
| Gain YTD | 131.636 | 170.441 | 77% |
| P/E Ratio | 93.07 | 6.33 | 1,469% |
| Revenue | 10.7B | 34.4B | 31% |
| Total Cash | 624M | 894M | 70% |
| Total Debt | 3.25B | 2.52B | 129% |
DK | PBF | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 94 | 32 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 98 Overvalued | 12 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 14 | 37 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 99 | 41 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 34 | 34 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 2 | 93 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 65 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
PBF's Valuation (12) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry is significantly better than the same rating for DK (98). This means that PBF’s stock grew significantly faster than DK’s over the last 12 months.
DK's Profit vs Risk Rating (14) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry is in the same range as PBF (37). This means that DK’s stock grew similarly to PBF’s over the last 12 months.
PBF's SMR Rating (41) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry is somewhat better than the same rating for DK (99). This means that PBF’s stock grew somewhat faster than DK’s over the last 12 months.
PBF's Price Growth Rating (34) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry is in the same range as DK (34). This means that PBF’s stock grew similarly to DK’s over the last 12 months.
DK's P/E Growth Rating (2) in the Oil Refining Or Marketing industry is significantly better than the same rating for PBF (93). This means that DK’s stock grew significantly faster than PBF’s over the last 12 months.
| DK | PBF | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 84% | 3 days ago 90% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 67% | 3 days ago 74% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 75% | 5 days ago 82% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 74% | 3 days ago 89% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 79% | 3 days ago 83% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 78% | 3 days ago 83% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 82% | 4 days ago 83% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 80% | 10 days ago 72% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 88% | 3 days ago 79% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 76% | 3 days ago 77% |
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DK and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, DK has been closely correlated with PBF. These tickers have moved in lockstep 76% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if DK jumps, then PBF could also see price increases.
PBF and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, PBF has been closely correlated with VLO. These tickers have moved in lockstep 77% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if PBF jumps, then VLO could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To PBF | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PBF | 100% | -1.12% | ||
| VLO - PBF | 77% Closely correlated | +0.77% | ||
| DK - PBF | 76% Closely correlated | +0.24% | ||
| DINO - PBF | 76% Closely correlated | -1.05% | ||
| MPC - PBF | 73% Closely correlated | +0.76% | ||
| PARR - PBF | 73% Closely correlated | +0.14% | ||
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