Recent reports have sparked confusion concerning UBS's position on PBF Energy's stock. Despite speculation of a Buy rating upgrade due to stronger refining cracks, UBS has not made such a move. Instead, the bank had previously held a neutral stance, reflected by their actions earlier this year.
On February 19, 2025, UBS adjusted its outlook on PBF Energy by lowering the price target from $29 to $26, while maintaining a Neutral rating, according to marketscreener.com. The move echoed similar actions from previous months, as UBS reduced the price target from $34 to $30 on November 4, 2024, citing weakening refining margins as a concern.
Other financial institutions have also expressed caution towards PBF Energy. For instance, Mizuho Securities downgraded the stock from Neutral to Underperform on December 16, 2024, anticipating softer refining margins. Furthermore, back in September 2024, Piper Sandler downgraded PBF Energy to Underweight, raising issues regarding refining leverage and cash flow. These consistent evaluations suggest that without substantial changes in market conditions or corporate performance, the outlook for PBF Energy remains cautious at best.