Chapin Davis Inc. Makes New Investment in Marathon Petroleum Corporation $MPC

Key Points

• Chapin Davis Inc. opened a $14.8 million position in Marathon Petroleum during the third quarter, making MPC roughly 3% of its portfolio and its seventh-largest holding. Institutional investors collectively own 76.77% of the company.
• Marathon Petroleum reported quarterly EPS of $17.73, exceeding estimates by $3.46, while revenue rose 53.5% year over year to $51.99 billion. The company also maintains a quarterly dividend of $1.00, or $4.00 annually.
• MPC shares recently traded near their 52-week high, while analysts held a generally positive view with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating. However, insider selling and a consensus price target below the market price may temper enthusiasm.

Chapin Davis Inc. bought a new position in shares of Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC - Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 37,477 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $14,819,000. Marathon Petroleum comprises approximately 3.0% of Chapin Davis Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest holding.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Energy Income Partners LLC acquired a new position in Marathon Petroleum during the 2nd quarter worth $4,912,000. Evolve Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Marathon Petroleum during the second quarter valued at approximately $673,000. Railway Pension Investments Ltd bought a new position in Marathon Petroleum during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $3,886,000. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA grew its position in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 31.0% in the 1st quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 213,545 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $52,146,000 after acquiring an additional 50,521 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky increased its holdings in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 570.7% in the 1st quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 168,644 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $41,180,000 after acquiring an additional 143,500 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.77% of the company's stock.

Marathon Petroleum Stock Up 4.8%

MPC opened at $463.56 on Friday. Marathon Petroleum Corporation has a one year low of $161.93 and a one year high of $467.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 1.25. The company has a market capitalization of $135.33 billion, a PE ratio of 15.94, a P/E/G ratio of 0.14 and a beta of 0.54. The stock's fifty day moving average is $377.66 and its 200-day moving average is $299.77.

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The oil and gas company reported $17.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $14.27 by $3.46. Marathon Petroleum had a net margin of 5.48% and a return on equity of 31.96%. The company had revenue of $51.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $40.87 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.96 EPS. The business's revenue was up 53.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Marathon Petroleum Corporation will post 61.31 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marathon Petroleum Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 19th were issued a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 19th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.9%. Marathon Petroleum's dividend payout ratio is currently 13.75%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marathon Petroleum

In related 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 transaction, the vice president owned 1,576 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $571,757.04. This trade represents a 26.56% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Molly R. Benson sold 17,196 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $358.57, for a total value of $6,165,969.72. Following the sale, the insider owned 30,334 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,876,862.38. The trade was a 36.18% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 21,691 shares of company stock valued at $7,780,127. Corporate insiders own 0.17% of the company's stock.

Key Marathon Petroleum News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Refining-margin tailwinds remain the primary catalyst. Rising gasoline and diesel crack spreads, along with below-normal distillate inventories—particularly on the U.S. East Coast—are supporting expectations for stronger near-term refining earnings. MPC’s large refining footprint gives it significant sensitivity to higher margins. Marathon Petroleum gains as refining-margin tailwinds stay strong
• Positive Sentiment: Buyback capacity adds support. Marathon Petroleum reportedly had approximately $6.1 billion remaining under its share-repurchase authorization at the end of the second quarter. Strong operating cash flow could allow the company to return significant capital to shareholders if refining conditions persist.
• Positive Sentiment: Operational and strategic improvements are reinforcing the bullish view. Recent coverage highlights throughput near 3 million barrels per day, projects aimed at increasing jet-fuel and specialty-gasoline production, and benefits from MPC’s integrated refining and midstream network. These initiatives could help the company capture more value during periods of tight global refining capacity. Can Marathon Petroleum Turn High-Utilization Refining Wins Into a Durable Competitive Edge?
• Neutral Sentiment: Mizuho raised its price target substantially, but kept a neutral rating. The target increased from $304 to $457, roughly in line with the recently cited market price, suggesting that much of the favorable refining outlook may already be reflected in MPC shares.
• Neutral Sentiment: Institutional positioning is mixed. Several major investors, including JPMorgan, BlackRock and Sixth Street Partners, added shares, while Harris Associates, Wellington Management and Boston Partners reduced positions. Government awards, including naval distillate contracts, provide business activity but are not the main stock catalyst.
• Negative Sentiment: Insider and congressional selling could temper sentiment. MPC insiders reported no open-market purchases and 10 sales over the past six months, while members of Congress also reported selling. These transactions do not necessarily reflect company fundamentals, but they offer a potential cautionary signal after the stock’s strong run.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Marathon Petroleum in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Marathon Petroleum from $359.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on Marathon Petroleum from $376.00 to $472.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, September 21st. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $410.00 to $426.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, October 2nd. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Marathon Petroleum from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, September 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $379.94.

Marathon Petroleum 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, jet fuel, asphalt, propane and other refined products used by consumers, businesses and industrial customers.

Marathon Petroleum operates refineries and related logistics assets in the United States, with a refining and marketing presence serving markets across the Midwest, Gulf Coast and West Coast.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.