By Nicole Jao (Reuters) -U.S. refiner Valero Energy, kicking off the earnings season for refiners, posted better-than-expected third-quarter results on Thursday as refining margins remained supported throughout the quarter and refinery throughput in the Gulf Coast and North Atlantic regions reached new highs. Shares of the company were up 6.8% at $172.90 on Thursday afternoon. Fuel makers have benefited from a rebound in refining margins from multiyear lows in 2024 as supply shortages tied to geopolitical tensions in Ukraine supported stronger pricing. "Refining margins remained well-supported by strong global demand and persistently low inventory levels despite high utilization rates," Chief Executive Lane Riggs told analysts on a conference call on Thursday. U.S. refinery margins, measur

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