CVR Energy, Inc. research snapshot

CVI AI Stock Analysis

CVI AI stock analysis as of the August 4, 2026 data cutoff reads CVR Energy as a small-cap independent refiner and nitrogen fertilizer producer in a cyclical earnings upswing that the market already prices at a premium to book value. The stock closed at $32.89 on August 3, 2026, down 2.73 or 7.66% from the $35.62 prior close after a 29.3% year-to-date run, with MarketBeat quoting the close at $32.92, carrying a market capitalization near $3.31 billion and an enterprise value near $4.37 billion. The Q2 2026 report, released July 29, 2026, showed adjusted EPS of $0.34 beating the consensus estimate of $0.26, adjusted EBITDA of $209 million versus $105 million a year earlier, revenue of $2.74 billion up 55.5%, free cash flow of $264 million, and crude and ammonia utilization of 98% and 99%, driven by Group 3 2-1-1 cracks averaging $44.91 per barrel with management guiding above mid-cycle conditions into 2027. The main offset is heavy renewable-fuel compliance cost, including a $216 million net RIN expense, a $408 million accrued RFS obligation, and a Wynnewood small-refinery exemption petition that the EPA has not ruled on for nine months, plus $81 million of realized derivative losses and a consensus Strong Sell rating from 8 analysts with an average target of $30.25. The CVI AI stock forecast is therefore scenario-based, not a precise price prediction.

Current price

$32.89 at the August 3, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT market close, down 2.73 or 7.66% from the $35.62 July 31 close, after opening at $34.82 and trading in a session range of $32.73 to $35.27, with MarketBeat quoting the close at $32.92 and an after-hours quote near $32.95 on Yahoo Finance and StockAnalysis.com and $33.12 on MarketBeat

Market cap

$3.31 billion at the August 3, 2026 market close, matching $32.89 times 100.53 million shares outstanding, with a float near 29.3 million shares and an enterprise value near $4.37 billion per StockAnalysis.com (S&P Global)

AI score

55 / 100

Rating

Hold with cyclical upside, no book-value margin of safety

Trend status

Above the 50-day and 200-day moving averages near $31.73 and $30.56, but 7.7% below the prior close after the August 3 pullback from the $35.27 session high, inside a $19.62 to $41.67 52-week range

Data cutoff (updated monthly)

August 4, 2026

Informational use only. This page is not investment advice.

Research quality check

information Richness
B-level information richness. CVR Energy has been publicly traded for years with SEC filings, quarterly reports, and some sell-side coverage, but analyst coverage is thin and heavily skewed to Sell, and refining margins and RIN economics require commodity and policy context. The August 4, 2026 refresh re-fetched and cross-validated figures across MarketBeat, Yahoo Finance, StockAnalysis.com (S&P Global), the Q2 2026 earnings release and call transcript, and Business Wire and TheFly news.
bias Check
The main AI bias is extrapolating the war-driven margin environment into a permanent state. The reverse check asks whether crack spreads can hold above mid-cycle if global refining supply returns, whether the $408 million RFS obligation and an unfavorable EPA ruling can absorb the Q2 2026 cash flow gains, whether the 7.66% August 3 drop is the start of a correction, and why the consensus is Strong Sell with short interest near 18% of float. The refresh also guards against treating one strong quarter as a trend while trailing TTM EPS of $0.68 is still distorted by hedge and RIN swings.
ai Confidence
High for reported Q2 2026 results, FY2025 financials, the June 30, 2026 balance sheet, share count, market cap, dividend, and analyst ratings, which cross-validated across MarketBeat, Yahoo Finance, and StockAnalysis.com. Medium for technical levels and forward scenarios because forward earnings estimates diverge sharply by provider (forward P/E of 12.8x on StockAnalysis.com versus 32.5x on Yahoo Finance) and because crack spreads, RIN prices, and EPA rulings can change rapidly.
investment Certainty
Low to medium. The earnings upswing is cash-generative and the deleveraging plan is credible, but CVR is a leveraged, policy-sensitive, cyclical small cap where outcomes depend on crack spreads and EPA decisions that no AI model can predict with confidence. The stock also offers no book-value margin of safety at about 6.8x book value.

Quick verdict table

DimensionConclusionConfidence
Business qualityCVR runs a coking, medium-sour crude oil refinery in Coffeyville, Kansas, a second refinery in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, a renewable diesel operation, and nitrogen fertilizer plants in East Dubuque, Illinois and Coffeyville. Earnings depend on crack spreads and nitrogen prices, with Q2 2026 showing 98% crude and 99% ammonia utilization.Medium
MoatNarrow. Complex heavy-sour crude processing and a lower-cost natural gas feedstock position give modest advantages, but refined products are a commodity and independent refiners face integrated majors, renewable fuel mandates, and RFS compliance costs.Low
ManagementDane Neumann, promoted from EVP and CFO to President and CEO in late June 2026, ran a strong Q2 with disciplined cost control and a stated deleveraging target of $1 billion of base-business debt. Richard Roberts serves as interim CFO. Icahn Enterprises-linked insiders hold about 71% of the stock, aligning incentives but limiting minority voice.Medium
Financial trendRevenue fell from $10.9 billion in 2022 to $7.16 billion in 2025 while net income swung from $769 million in 2023 to $7 million in 2024 and $27 million in 2025. Q2 2026 reversed the trend with $2.74 billion revenue, $209 million adjusted EBITDA, and $264 million free cash flow.High
ValuationAt $32.89, CVI trades near 48x trailing EPS of $0.68, about 0.39x sales, near 6.8x book value on the $5.22 June 30 book value per share, and a forward multiple that varies widely by provider from 12.8x on StockAnalysis.com to 32.5x on Yahoo Finance, reflecting divergent forward estimates.Medium
Technical trendThe stock closed at $32.89 on August 3, 2026, above the 50-day moving average near $31.73 and the 200-day near $30.56, but 7.7% below the prior close after a sharp pullback from the $35.27 session high, with the 52-week range at $19.62 to $41.67.Medium
Risk levelHigh. Risks include RIN and RFS compliance costs with an unresolved EPA exemption petition, crack-spread swap losses with 8.2 million barrels still open, high debt near $1.8 billion, a Strong Sell consensus, short interest near 18% of float, and commodity price cyclicality.Medium-high
AI confidenceHigh for reported Q2 2026 and FY2025 financials, balance sheet, share count, market cap, dividend, and analyst ratings. Medium for technical levels and forward scenarios because crack spreads, RIN prices, and EPA rulings can move quickly.Medium data confidence
Investment certaintyLow to medium. The earnings upswing is real and cash-generative, but the stock offers no book-value margin of safety and depends on crack spreads staying above mid-cycle and on favorable EPA policy, neither of which an AI model can predict.Low

CVI AI stock forecast

CVI AI Stock Forecast Scenarios

The CVI AI stock forecast is scenario-based because earnings swing with crack spreads, RIN costs, and EPA rulings. Using the $32.89 reference price, the $5.22 June 30 book value per share, and the analyst target range of $28 to $35, the mechanical ranges are roughly $22 to $28 in a bear case, $28 to $34 in a base case, and $35 to $45 in a bullish case. Higher outcomes require cracks to stay above mid-cycle into 2027, an EPA ruling on the Wynnewood SRE petition, continued deleveraging, and a dividend increase.

Bullish case

$35 to $45

More likely if Group 3 cracks stay above mid-cycle (Q3-to-date near $58.70 per barrel), the EPA grants the Wynnewood small-refinery exemption, the company reaches its $1 billion debt target and raises the dividend, and free cash flow keeps funding deleveraging.

Base case

$28 to $34

More likely if crack spreads hold modestly above mid-cycle, RIN costs stay elevated but manageable, the company keeps paying the $0.40 dividend while reducing debt, and the stock trades near the analyst consensus target of $30.25 to $32.

Bearish case

$22 to $28

More likely if refining margins revert toward historical mid-cycle, RIN prices keep climbing without an EPA remedy, hedge losses continue, or a de-escalation of global conflicts restores refining supply and removes the current scarcity premium.

CVI AI technical analysis

CVI AI Technical Analysis

CVI AI technical analysis as of the August 4, 2026 data cutoff shows a stock in an uptrend that just gave back part of its gains. The August 3, 2026 close of $32.89 sits above the 50-day moving average near $31.73 and the 200-day near $30.56, with RSI near 49.4 and a beta of 0.82, after a 7.66% one-day drop from the $35.62 prior close. The 52-week range is $19.62 to $41.67 and the 50-day range is $26.73 to $38.31.

LevelValueWhy it matters
Current price$32.89August 3, 2026 close on Yahoo Finance and StockAnalysis.com, with MarketBeat quoting $32.92, after-hours near $32.95 to $33.12, down 7.66% from the $35.62 prior close.
Immediate support$31.50 to $32.70Brackets the August 3 session low of $32.73 and the 50-day moving average near $31.73.
Deeper support$26.70 to $28.00The 50-day range low near $26.73 and the low end of analyst targets near $28.00.
Primary floor$19.60 to $22.00The 52-week low of $19.62 is the measurable floor; a break below signals a new down leg for the stock.
Near resistance$35.30 to $36.00The August 3 session high of $35.27 and the prior close of $35.62.
Upper resistance$38.30 to $41.70The 50-day range high near $38.31 and the 52-week high of $41.67, which would require sustained strong margins to challenge.
Moving averages50-day near $31.73, 200-day near $30.56The price holds above both moving averages, consistent with an uptrend until a close below the 50-day.
MomentumYTD +29.3%, 1-year +31.25%Strong medium-term momentum, but the 7.66% drop on August 3 and RSI near 49.4 show the short-term move is cooling.
Volume1.33 million shares on August 3 vs a 20-day average near 1.0 millionElevated volume on the down day; short interest near 18% of float can add to both upside and downside spikes.
VolatilityWatch Q3 earnings, the EPA SRE ruling, and crack-spread dataNext quarterly results are estimated around October 28, 2026, and weekly crack-spread and RIN price data plus the Wynnewood EPA decision are the primary near-term drivers.
InvalidationClose below $28.00, then below $19.62A sustained close below the 50-day range low weakens the uptrend; a break of the 52-week low invalidates the recovery thesis.

CVI AI trading strategy

CVI AI Trading Strategy Framework

The CVI AI trading strategy below is a rules-based research framework, not personal advice. It links chart levels with crack spreads, RIN and RFS policy, hedge positions, debt reduction, and dividend policy, and it flags the high short interest as a two-way risk.

Trend-following setup

Watch for CVI to reclaim and hold above the $35.30 to $36.00 zone on a close with rising volume, supported by crack spreads above mid-cycle, a favorable EPA ruling on the Wynnewood SRE petition, and continued deleveraging.

A failed breakout followed by a close below $28.00 would end the trend setup, especially if RIN costs rise or free cash flow turns negative.

Mean-reversion setup

If CVI pulls back toward the $26.70 to $28.00 support zone, compare the price with the $5.22 book value per share and normalized mid-cycle earnings power before treating the pullback as an entry.

Do not treat a deep pullback as cheap if the company is burning cash, hedge losses grow, or the EPA denies the exemption petition, because commodity risk can push the price well below book value.

Fundamental monitor

Track Group 3 2-1-1 cracks, RIN prices and the $408 million accrued RFS obligation, the Wynnewood SRE decision, open crack-spread swaps near 8.2 million barrels, ammonia and UAN prices, debt progress toward the $1 billion target, and dividend policy.

Position size should reflect that CVI is a high-risk cyclical small cap where commodity prices and government policy drive outcomes more than company-specific advantages. Do not allocate capital you cannot afford to lose.

Investment research summary

Four-master Research Compression

Business essence

Customers pay CVR because transportation and agriculture need gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, renewable diesel, and nitrogen fertilizer. The company converts crude oil and natural gas into those products, and its revenue and earnings are set by crack spreads and nitrogen prices, not by any unique product or service.

Moat

CVR has narrow advantages: a coking refinery that processes heavy-sour crude, a natural gas cost position in fertilizer, and MidCon logistics. But refined products are a commodity, RFS compliance is a structural cost, and the business faces integrated majors and the long-term energy transition.

Munger risk inversion

The thesis fails if crack spreads revert to mid-cycle, RIN prices keep climbing without an EPA remedy, the Wynnewood SRE petition is denied, the remaining crack-spread swaps lose more money, debt stays near $1.8 billion, or a de-escalation of global conflicts restores refining supply and removes the scarcity premium.

Management

Dane Neumann, promoted from EVP and CFO to President and CEO in late June 2026, has emphasized safety, reliability, cost control, and a $1 billion base-business debt target. Q2 2026 execution was strong, but the leadership team was just reshuffled and minority shareholders have limited voice under Icahn Enterprises-linked ownership of about 71%.

Industry trend

Refining is a mature cyclical industry in a geopolitically driven tight phase, with Middle East refinery damage, Russian capacity offline, and a China export halt supporting U.S. exports up 16% year to date. Management expects conditions above mid-cycle into 2027. The long-term energy transition and RFS policy remain structural headwinds.

Valuation and margin of safety

At $32.89, CVI trades near 48x trailing EPS, about 0.39x sales, and near 6.8x the $5.22 book value, with no book-value margin of safety. The market prices in crack spreads above mid-cycle and a favorable EPA outcome. Margin of safety would only appear on a fall toward book value or if the RIN overhang is resolved and earnings power normalizes at a mid-cycle multiple.

Source-backed data

CVI Data Table

Every metric below includes a source and last verification date.

MetricValueSourceLast verified
CVI quote reference$32.89 close on August 3, 2026, down 2.73 or 7.66% from the $35.62 prior close, after opening at $34.82 and trading $32.73 to $35.27, with after-hours near $32.95 to $33.12 and MarketBeat quoting the close at $32.92Yahoo Finance, StockAnalysis.com, and MarketBeat CVI overviewAugust 3, 2026
Market capitalization$3.31 billion at the August 3 close, matching $32.89 times 100.53 million shares outstanding, with an enterprise value near $4.37 billionStockAnalysis.com CVI statistics (S&P Global) and MarketBeatAugust 3, 2026
Shares outstanding100.53 million shares outstanding with a float near 29.3 millionStockAnalysis.com and MarketBeat CVI statisticsAugust 3, 2026
Q2 2026 resultsRevenue $2.74 billion up 55.5% year over year, consolidated net income $46 million, net loss attributable to CVR Energy stockholders of $3 million, diluted EPS of negative $0.03, adjusted EPS of $0.34 beating the consensus of $0.26, adjusted EBITDA of $209 million, operating cash flow of $307 million, and free cash flow of $264 millionMarketBeat CVI earnings report and Q2 2026 earnings call transcriptJuly 29, 2026
FY2025 resultsRevenue of $7.16 billion, net income attributable to CVR Energy of $27 million, basic EPS of $0.27, and operating cash flow of $144 millionMarketBeat CVI financialsAugust 3, 2026
Revenue and earnings trendRevenue $10.90 billion in 2022, $9.25 billion in 2023, $7.61 billion in 2024, and $7.16 billion in 2025, with net income of $463 million, $769 million, $7 million, and $27 million in those yearsMarketBeat CVI financialsAugust 3, 2026
Balance sheet at June 30, 2026Cash of $737 million, long-term debt of $1.77 billion, total debt near $1.80 billion, net debt near $1.06 billion, common equity of $525 million, and total equity including noncontrolling interests of $744 millionStockAnalysis.com CVI statistics and MarketBeat CVI financials balance sheetAugust 3, 2026
TTM valuation inputsTTM revenue of $8.47 billion, TTM net income of $69 million, TTM EPS of $0.68 to $0.69, trailing P/E near 48, forward P/E of 12.76 on StockAnalysis.com versus 32.47 on Yahoo Finance, price-to-sales near 0.39, book value per share of $5.22 on the June 30 common-equity basis, and price-to-book near 6.8xStockAnalysis.com, Yahoo Finance, and MarketBeatAugust 3, 2026
Technical and trading data52-week range of $19.62 to $41.67, 50-day range of $26.73 to $38.31, 50-day moving average near $31.73, 200-day moving average near $30.56, RSI near 49.4, beta of 0.82, year-to-date gain of 29.3%, and a 1-year price gain of 31.25%StockAnalysis.com, Yahoo Finance, and MarketBeatAugust 3, 2026
Short interestAbout 5.26 million shares short, 5.23% of shares outstanding and near 17.9% of float, with 4.7 to 5.9 days to cover depending on source, up from 4.87 million shares the prior monthStockAnalysis.com and MarketBeatAugust 3, 2026
Analyst consensusStrong Sell consensus from 8 analysts with an average price target of $30.25, a high of $35.00, and a low of $28.00, including 6 sell and 2 hold ratings, with Yahoo Finance and StockAnalysis.com showing a Sell consensus and a $29.40 targetMarketBeat CVI forecast and StockAnalysis.comAugust 3, 2026
DividendQuarterly dividend of $0.10 for an annual rate of $0.40 and a yield near 1.22%, with an ex-dividend date of August 10, 2026, a payable date of August 17, 2026, and a payout ratio near 29%Yahoo Finance and StockAnalysis.comAugust 3, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

This CVI AI stock analysis is an informational research tool only. It is not investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell CVR Energy stock, or a guarantee of future returns. Forecast scenarios are based on available data as of August 4, 2026, can be wrong, and should be updated when new earnings, crack-spread, RIN and EPA policy, balance-sheet, management, or other material information changes.