Four W-Ni catalysts, containing Al2O3, chemically treated zeolite Y, hydrothermally treated zeolite beta, and the combination of the above zeolite Y and beta, were prepared. The catalysts were characterized by BET, NH3-TPD, XRD, TEM, pyridine-IR, and XPS. The reaction performance in hydrodesulfurization (HDS), hydrodenitrogenation (HDN), and hydrodearomatation (HDA) was evaluated with light cycle oil (LCO). The zeolite-containing catalysts exhibited much higher HDN, HDS, and HDA activities than the WNi/Al2O3. The three zeolite-containing catalysts h Ad similar HDN activity. The WNi/Beta + Y and WNi/Beta catalysts had higher HDS activity than the WNi/Y catalyst. The higher HDN, HDS, and HDA activities of the three zeolite-containing catalysts are associated primarily with enhanced hydrogenation activity and increased acidity. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.