Marathon Petroleum Co. (NYSE:MPC) Shares Acquired by Vident Advisory LLC

Vident Advisory LLC grew its position in Marathon Petroleum Co. (NYSE:MPC - Free Report) by 12.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,606 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after acquiring an additional 1,712 shares during the quarter. Vident Advisory LLC's holdings in Marathon Petroleum were worth $2,177,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. SWS Partners boosted its holdings in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 19.0% in the fourth quarter. SWS Partners now owns 17,577 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $2,452,000 after acquiring an additional 2,806 shares during the period. Greatmark Investment Partners Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 3.5% during the fourth quarter. Greatmark Investment Partners Inc. now owns 161,171 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $22,483,000 after purchasing an additional 5,476 shares during the period. TCTC Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 3.3% during the fourth quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC now owns 91,256 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $12,730,000 after purchasing an additional 2,892 shares during the period. Cambridge Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Marathon Petroleum during the fourth quarter worth $5,624,000. Finally, Nilsine Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 5.6% during the fourth quarter. Nilsine Partners LLC now owns 32,683 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $4,559,000 after purchasing an additional 1,746 shares during the period. 76.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marathon Petroleum Price Performance

Marathon Petroleum stock traded up $0.29 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $159.18. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,576,721 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,710,315. Marathon Petroleum Co. has a fifty-two week low of $115.10 and a fifty-two week high of $183.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $48.90 billion, a PE ratio of 16.03, a P/E/G ratio of 3.11 and a beta of 0.87. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $141.58 and its 200 day simple moving average is $146.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 1.23.

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The oil and gas company reported ($0.24) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.40) by $0.16. Marathon Petroleum had a return on equity of 12.07% and a net margin of 2.45%. The business had revenue of $31.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $28.91 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.58 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was down 4.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Marathon Petroleum Co. will post 8.47 earnings per share for the current year.

Marathon Petroleum Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 21st will be given a $0.91 dividend. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 21st. Marathon Petroleum's dividend payout ratio is currently 51.20%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently weighed in on MPC. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Raymond James decreased their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $193.00 to $183.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Mizuho increased their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $168.00 to $184.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Scotiabank decreased their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $169.00 to $147.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 11th. Finally, Tudor Pickering raised Marathon Petroleum from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $175.29.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Ricky D. Hessling acquired 2,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $134.72 per share, for a total transaction of $269,440.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 12,162 shares in the company, valued at $1,638,464.64. This trade represents a 19.68% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Evan Bayh acquired 1,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 5th. The shares were bought at an average price of $133.70 per share, with a total value of $133,700.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 69,305 shares in the company, valued at $9,266,078.50. This represents a 1.46% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 0.25% of the company's stock.

Marathon Petroleum Company Profile

Marathon Petroleum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated downstream energy company primarily in the United States. The company operates through Refining & Marketing, and Midstream segments. The Refining & Marketing segment refines crude oil and other feedstocks at its refineries in the Gulf Coast, Mid-Continent, and West Coast regions of the United States; and purchases refined products and ethanol for resale and distributes refined products, including renewable diesel, through transportation, storage, distribution, and marketing services.