The Goldman Sachs Group Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC) Stock

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC) had its price objective increased by analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group from $376.00 to $472.00 in a note issued to investors on Monday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The brokerage currently has a “buy” rating on the oil and gas company’s stock. The Goldman Sachs Group’s price objective suggests a potential upside of 21.11% from the stock’s current price.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Mizuho upped their target price on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $284.00 to $304.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $265.00 to $453.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, September 14th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $289.00 to $321.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 6th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $224.00 to $260.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their price objective on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $344.00 to $462.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, September 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $360.00.

Marathon Petroleum Price Performance

NYSE:MPC opened at $389.73 on Monday. Marathon Petroleum has a 52 week low of $161.93 and a 52 week high of $431.08. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19. The company has a market capitalization of $113.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.40, a P/E/G ratio of 0.13 and a beta of 0.53. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $353.12 and its two-hundred day moving average is $283.98.

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The oil and gas company reported $17.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $14.27 by $3.46. The business had revenue of $51.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $40.87 billion. Marathon Petroleum had a return on equity of 31.96% and a net margin of 5.48%.The company’s revenue was up 53.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.96 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Marathon Petroleum will post 59.15 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marathon Petroleum

In other news, VP Erin M. Brzezinski sold 570 shares of Marathon Petroleum stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $362.79, for a total value of $206,790.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 1,576 shares in the company, valued at approximately $571,757.04. This trade represents a 26.56% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Molly Benson sold 17,196 shares of the company’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 owned 30,334 shares in the company, valued at $10,876,862.38. The trade was a 36.18% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 21,691 shares of company stock valued at $7,780,127 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Marathon Petroleum

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Solstein Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marathon Petroleum in the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Caitlin John LLC purchased a new stake in Marathon Petroleum during the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc acquired a new stake in Marathon Petroleum in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Main Street Group LTD acquired a new stake in Marathon Petroleum in the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Cetera Trust Company N.A purchased a new position in Marathon Petroleum in the second quarter valued at about $35,000. 76.77% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Marathon Petroleum News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Goldman Sachs raised its price target to $472 and retained a Buy rating, implying further upside based on its outlook for Marathon Petroleum’s refining performance. Marathon Petroleum Given New $472 Price Target at Goldman Sachs
• Positive Sentiment: Recent operating fundamentals remain strong. Marathon Petroleum’s latest reported quarter exceeded earnings and revenue expectations, supported by improved refining economics. The company is scheduled to report third-quarter results on November 3, with no reported new operational warning. Marathon Petroleum Slides as Refining Shares Pull Back
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor attention toward MPC remains elevated, but search interest alone does not establish a change in the company’s earnings outlook. A comparison with Phillips 66 highlights MPC’s refining exposure, valuation and operating differences. MPC vs. PSX
• Negative Sentiment: Jefferies downgraded Marathon Petroleum from Buy to Hold, signaling reduced conviction after the stock’s substantial advance and likely limiting near-term buying momentum. Jefferies Downgrades Marathon Petroleum to Hold
• Negative Sentiment: Record diesel prices are creating potential downside risks. Extremely high prices may reduce fuel demand, while a possible export ban could pressure refining margins and raise uncertainty for Valero and MPC. Diesel Hits a Record
• Negative Sentiment: The broader refining group pulled back as oil prices eased and investors took profits. This appears to be primarily sector-driven rather than the result of a new MPC-specific negative announcement. Reported insider activity also shows recent sales without purchases, adding a modest sentiment headwind.

Marathon Petroleum Company Profile

Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC) is an integrated downstream energy company engaged primarily in refining, marketing and transporting petroleum products. The company converts crude oil and other feedstocks into gasoline, diesel and other transportation fuels, as well as asphalt, propane, petrochemical feedstocks and related products.

Marathon Petroleum operates a network of refineries in the United States and markets refined products through wholesale channels, branded retail locations and commercial customers.