PBF Energy Inc. (NYSE:PBF) experienced a significant drop in its share price, falling by 16.19% between December 10 and December 17, 2025. This decline placed the company among the Energy Stocks that Lost the Most This Week, according to a report by Insider Monkey.
PBF Energy Inc. is a leading independent petroleum refiner and supplier of various petroleum products in the United States. The company’s stock took a hit on December 8 when Wolfe Research analyst Doug Leggate downgraded it from ‘Peer Perform’ to ‘Underperform’, setting a price target of $23. The downgrade was attributed to a tactical underweight in the US refining sector, with Leggate pointing out that the decrease in West Coast margins had eliminated the necessary support for the recent outperformance.
Furthermore, the analyst firm anticipates several challenges for the broader US refining sector, including lower distillate cracks due to ample European inventories and potential risks associated with a Ukraine-Russia peace deal. A peaceful resolution to the conflict could allow Moscow to export oil without facing Western sanctions, potentially driving global crude prices down even further.
Despite the downgrade, PBF Energy Inc. received a boost on December 12 when Mizuho analyst Nitin Kumar upgraded the stock from ‘Underperform’ to ‘Neutral’ and raised the price target from $31 to $38. This revised target indicates a potential upside of nearly 43% from the current share price.
While PBF Energy Inc. shows promise as an investment, some AI stocks may offer greater potential for growth with lower downside risks. Investors seeking undervalued AI stocks that could benefit from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend are encouraged to explore Insider Monkey’s report on the best short-term AI stock.
In conclusion, PBF Energy Inc. faces challenges in the current market landscape, but analysts remain divided on its future performance. Investors should carefully consider their options and conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions.
Disclosure: None.
