USA Financial Formulas Acquires 2,978 Shares of Marathon Petroleum Corporation $MPC

Key Points

• USA Financial Formulas acquired 2,978 Marathon Petroleum shares worth approximately $1.18 million, while institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 76.77% of MPC.
• Marathon Petroleum reported quarterly EPS of $17.73, exceeding estimates by $3.46, with revenue rising 53.5% year over year to $51.99 billion.
• Analysts maintain a generally bullish view, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $417.88; the company also pays a $4.00 annualized dividend, yielding about 0.8%.

USA Financial Formulas acquired a new stake in Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC - Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 2,978 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $1,178,000. Marathon Petroleum makes up about 0.2% of USA Financial Formulas' holdings, making the stock its 29th biggest holding.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of MPC. Solstein Capital LLC acquired a new position in Marathon Petroleum during the second quarter worth about $26,000. Caitlin John LLC bought a new position in shares of Marathon Petroleum in the second quarter worth 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 stake in shares of Marathon Petroleum in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Frazier Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Marathon Petroleum in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. 76.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marathon Petroleum Stock Performance

Shares of MPC stock opened at $478.38 on Friday. The business's 50-day moving average price is $397.65 and its 200-day moving average price is $308.94. Marathon Petroleum Corporation has a 12 month low of $161.93 and a 12 month high of $485.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $139.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.44, a PEG ratio of 0.14 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19.

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The oil and gas company reported $17.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $14.27 by $3.46. Marathon Petroleum had a return on equity of 31.96% and a net margin of 5.48%. The company had revenue of $51.99 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $40.87 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.96 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 53.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Marathon Petroleum Corporation will post 62.78 EPS for the current year.

Marathon Petroleum Dividend Announcement

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Marathon Petroleum news, VP Erin M. Brzezinski sold 570 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 27th. The shares were 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 directly owned 1,576 shares in the company, valued at approximately $571,757.04. This represents a 26.56% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Shawn M. Lyon sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, August 31st. The shares were 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 of the company's stock, valued at $4,206,145.50. The trade was a 8.20% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 21,691 shares of company stock valued at $7,780,127 in the last ninety days. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "hold" rating and set a $433.00 price target on shares of Marathon Petroleum in a report on Sunday, October 11th. Raymond James Financial increased their price objective on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $350.00 to $445.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, September 14th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price 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. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $344.00 to $462.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, September 3rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $400.00 to $560.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $417.88.

Marathon Petroleum News Roundup

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

Marathon Petroleum 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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