Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the eighteen ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and twelve have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $315.0625.

MPC has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Zacks Research cut shares of Marathon Petroleum from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $235.00 to $257.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 6th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $289.00 to $321.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 6th. Evercore set a $330.00 price target on Marathon Petroleum in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $343.00 to $344.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 6th.

Trending Headlines about Marathon Petroleum

Here are the key news stories impacting Marathon Petroleum this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Geopolitical tensions are boosting the energy complex. Reports of U.S.-Iran attacks near the Strait of Hormuz pushed oil prices higher, lifting energy stocks and potentially supporting refinery margins. A separate market outlook also points to a global fuel squeeze that could create another period of elevated refining profitability. Energy stocks rally as fresh U.S.-Iran attacks drive oil prices higher Goldman Sachs Sees Major Shift Coming for Oil Markets
• Positive Sentiment: Recent operating results remain a key support. Marathon Petroleum’s latest reported quarter significantly exceeded analyst expectations, with EPS of $17.73 versus a $14.27 estimate and revenue growth of 53.5% year over year. Its low payout ratio and recently announced $1.00 quarterly dividend also provide shareholder support.
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst sentiment is favorable, but targets appear conservative. MPC has a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating, while the reported average price target of $312.50 is below the current trading range. Institutional ownership remains high at approximately 76.8%, with several investors recently building positions.
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple insiders have sold shares. Senior Vice President Shawn M. Lyon sold 1,425 shares in two transactions for roughly $532,000, while Vice President and Controller Erin M. Brzezinski sold 570 shares for about $207,000. The sales reduced their respective holdings by 8.2% and 26.6%. Although these transactions may reflect personal financial decisions, the cluster of selling near record levels could temper investor enthusiasm. MPC insider transaction filing

Insider Transactions at Marathon Petroleum

In other Marathon Petroleum news, SVP Shawn M. Lyon sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $375.75, for a total transaction of $375,750.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 11,194 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,206,145.50. This represents a 8.20% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Molly R. Benson sold 17,196 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $358.57, for a total transaction of $6,165,969.72. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 30,334 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,876,862.38. This trade represents a 36.18% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 28,027 shares of company stock valued at $9,483,370. Company insiders own 0.17% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Marathon Petroleum

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. California State Teachers Retirement System lifted its stake in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 36,834.6% during the 2nd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 128,810,637 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $32,933,016,000 after buying an additional 128,461,884 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Marathon Petroleum during the 2nd quarter valued at $6,648,958,000. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in Marathon Petroleum by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 17,934,327 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $2,916,660,000 after purchasing an additional 47,896 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners boosted its stake in Marathon Petroleum by 2.3% in the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 6,305,428 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $1,214,522,000 after purchasing an additional 141,691 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new position in Marathon Petroleum during the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,029,611,000. Institutional investors own 76.77% of the company’s stock.

Marathon Petroleum Price Performance

NYSE MPC opened at $382.08 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $111.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.13, a PEG ratio of 0.24 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 0.89. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $314.07 and its 200 day moving average price is $263.02. Marathon Petroleum has a 1 year low of $161.93 and a 1 year high of $383.01.

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The oil and gas company reported $17.73 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $14.27 by $3.46. The company had revenue of $51.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $40.87 billion. Marathon Petroleum had a return on equity of 31.96% and a net margin of 5.48%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 53.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.96 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Marathon Petroleum will post 46.66 earnings per share for the current year.

Marathon Petroleum Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 19th will be issued a $1.00 dividend. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 19th. Marathon Petroleum’s payout ratio is currently 13.75%.

About Marathon Petroleum

Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: MPC) is a U.S.-based downstream energy company engaged principally in the refining, marketing, supply and transportation of petroleum products. The company was formed through a spin-off from Marathon Oil in 2011 and operates an integrated system of refining and logistics assets that support the production and distribution of transportation fuels and other refined petroleum products.

Marathon Petroleum’s operations include refining crude oil into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt and other specialty products, as well as managing the distribution and storage infrastructure needed to move those products to market.