23,312 Shares of Marathon Petroleum Corporation $MPC Bought by Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC

Key Points

• Counterpoint Mutual Funds acquired 23,312 Marathon Petroleum shares worth approximately $9.2 million, while institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 76.77% of MPC.
• Marathon Petroleum reported quarterly earnings of $17.73 per share, exceeding estimates by $3.46, while revenue rose 53.5% year over year to $51.99 billion.
• MPC shares traded near their 52-week high, and analysts maintained an overall “Moderate Buy” rating with a consensus price target of $417.88; the company also pays a $4.00 annualized dividend.

Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC - Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 23,312 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $9,218,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Solstein Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Marathon Petroleum in the second quarter worth $26,000. Caitlin John LLC acquired a new stake in Marathon Petroleum in the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc bought a new position in shares of Marathon Petroleum in the second quarter worth about $27,000. Cetera Trust Company N.A acquired a new position in Marathon Petroleum during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Frazier Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Marathon Petroleum during the 2nd quarter worth $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.77% of the company's stock.

Marathon Petroleum Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of Marathon Petroleum stock opened at $478.38 on Friday. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $397.65 and its 200 day simple moving average is $308.94. The stock has a market capitalization of $139.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.44, a P/E/G ratio of 0.14 and a beta of 0.54. Marathon Petroleum Corporation has a 52-week low of $161.93 and a 52-week high of $485.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 1.25.

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The oil and gas company reported $17.73 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $14.27 by $3.46. The business had revenue of $51.99 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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 was up 53.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.96 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Marathon Petroleum Corporation will post 62.78 EPS for the current year.

Marathon Petroleum Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 10th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 19th were issued a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 19th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Marathon Petroleum's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 13.75%.

Key Stories Impacting Marathon Petroleum

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

• Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo issued a Buy rating on MPC, adding to the positive analyst sentiment surrounding the refiner. Wells Fargo Issues a Buy Rating on Marathon Petroleum
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts raised their estimated fair value for Marathon Petroleum to approximately $433.44 from $375.50, citing improved refining assumptions and stronger anticipated margins and crack spreads. Marathon Petroleum Stock Gets Fair Value Boost
• Positive Sentiment: Citigroup projected significant potential appreciation for MPC, while a separate report noted the stock reached a new 12-month high following an analyst upgrade. These developments reinforce the bullish view on refining profitability. Citigroup Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation Marathon Petroleum Sets New 12-Month High
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage describes MPC as a potential hedge against diesel-related weakness, with its scale and refining exposure benefiting if industry margins remain firm. Marathon Petroleum: A Solid Hedge Vs. Diesel's Damage
• Neutral Sentiment: Although MPC and Delek US reported stronger earnings as refining margins improved, analysts favored Delek because of its lower valuation and stronger earnings-estimate revisions. Marathon vs. Delek US
• Negative Sentiment: The stock’s decline while the market advanced highlights near-term relative weakness. Investors may also be questioning whether MPC’s large multiyear gain and current valuation already reflect much of the expected cash-flow and refining-margin improvement. Marathon Petroleum Stock Declines While Market Improves

Insider Activity

In other news, VP Erin M. Brzezinski sold 570 shares of Marathon Petroleum stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $362.79, for a total value of $206,790.30. Following the sale, the vice president directly 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 Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Shawn M. Lyon sold 1,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction 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 completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 11,194 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,206,145.50. This trade represents a 8.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders sold 21,691 shares of company stock valued at $7,780,127. Insiders own 0.17% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Bank of America boosted their price objective on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $410.00 to $426.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, October 2nd. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $318.00 to $518.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 13th. Zacks Research raised Marathon Petroleum from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, September 4th. Mizuho upped their target price on Marathon Petroleum from $304.00 to $457.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 8th. Finally, Evercore set a $330.00 price objective on shares of Marathon Petroleum in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $417.88.

Marathon Petroleum Company Profile

Marathon Petroleum Corporation NYSE: MPC is an American downstream energy company engaged in refining, marketing, and transporting petroleum products. Its operations include converting crude oil into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt, propane, and other refined products used by transportation, industrial, and commercial customers.

The company markets fuel under the Marathon brand and supplies products to independent marketers, commercial businesses, and other wholesale customers. Marathon Petroleum also owns a general-partner interest and significant limited-partner interest in MPLX Inc, a midstream company that operates pipelines, storage facilities, terminals, and gathering and processing assets supporting the movement of crude oil and natural gas liquids.

Marathon Petroleum's refining and midstream activities are concentrated in the United States, with assets serving regions across the Midwest, Gulf Coast, and West Coast.

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