Any one of these factors, or a combination of these factors, could materially affect our future results of operations and whether any forward-looking statements ultimately prove to be accurate. Our forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results and future performance may differ materially from those suggested in any forward-looking statements. We do not intend to update these statements unless we are required by the securities laws to do so.
Risk Factors
Investing in our securities involves significant risks. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus. In particular, you should consider the risk factors set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form10-K filed with the SEC, as those risk factors are amended or supplemented by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form10-Q and other reports and documents we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus that are incorporated by reference herein. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business operations. Additional risk factors may be included in a prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering of securities.
Valero Energy Corporation
We are a Fortune 500 company based in San Antonio, Texas. We were incorporated in Delaware in 1981 under the name Valero Refining and Marketing Company. We changed our name to Valero Energy Corporation on August 1, 1997. Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “VLO.” On January 31, 2018, we had 10,015 employees.
We own 15 petroleum refineries located in the United States (U.S.), Canada, and the United Kingdom (U.K.) with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3.1 million barrels per day. Our refineries produce conventional gasolines, premium gasolines, gasoline meeting the specifications of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), diesel,low-sulfur diesel,ultra-low-sulfur diesel, CARB diesel, other distillates, jet fuel, asphalt, petrochemicals, lubricants, and other refined petroleum products. We sell our refined petroleum products in both the wholesale rack and bulk markets, and approximately 7,400 outlets carry our brand names in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Ireland. Most of our logistics assets support our refining operations, and some of these assets are owned by Valero Energy Partners LP (VLP), a midstream master limited partnership majority owned by us. We also own 11 ethanol plants in theMid-Continent region of the U.S. with a combined production capacity of approximately 1.45 billion gallons per year. We sell our ethanol in the wholesale bulk market, and some of our logistics assets support our ethanol operations.
Our principal executive offices are located at One Valero Way, San Antonio, Texas, 78249, and our telephone number is (210)345-2000.
Use of Proceeds
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sales of the securities for general corporate purposes unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
Our ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 | | | Years Ended December 31, | |
| | 2017 | | | 2016 | | | 2015 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 | |
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges | | | 4.8 | | | | 5.1 | | | | 5.0 | | | | 8.6 | | | | 9.0 | | | | 6.6 | |
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