Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC) Stock Rating Upgraded by Wall Street Zen

Key Points

• Wall Street Zen upgraded Marathon Petroleum from “buy” to “strong-buy,” adding to a broadly bullish analyst backdrop. The stock now has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $257.25.
• Marathon Petroleum reported better-than-expected quarterly results, with EPS of $1.65 versus the $0.74 consensus estimate and revenue of $34.20 billion, up 8.5% year over year. The company also beat on profitability metrics, including a 16.22% return on equity.
• Analysts have been raising price targets across the board, including Goldman Sachs to $291, Barclays to $270, and Morgan Stanley to $233. The stock was trading up 1.1% at $245.02, near its 52-week high of $261.61.

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC - Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities researchers at Wall Street Zen from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report issued on Sunday.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on MPC. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $197.00 to $228.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 9th. Scotiabank lifted their price objective on Marathon Petroleum from $174.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a "sector outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $200.00 to $233.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $230.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $264.00 to $291.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $257.25.

Marathon Petroleum Trading Up 1.1%

MPC stock opened at $245.02 on Friday. Marathon Petroleum has a 52 week low of $149.65 and a 52 week high of $261.61. The company has a market capitalization of $71.53 billion, a PE ratio of 15.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.35 and a beta of 0.53. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $229.28 and its 200 day simple moving average is $200.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 1.18.

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 5th. The oil and gas company reported $1.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.74 by $0.91. Marathon Petroleum had a net margin of 3.36% and a return on equity of 16.22%. The firm had revenue of $34.20 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $33.42 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.24) EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Marathon Petroleum will post 28.83 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Ricky D. Hessling sold 1,626 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $228.18, for a total transaction of $371,020.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 7,525 shares in the company, valued at $1,717,054.50. This represents a 17.77% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 4,473 shares of company stock worth $1,015,428. Insiders own 0.17% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Marathon Petroleum

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in Marathon Petroleum by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 344,132 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $84,030,000 after acquiring an additional 5,320 shares during the last quarter. Oslo Pensjonsforsikring AS acquired a new stake in shares of Marathon Petroleum during the first quarter valued at about $379,000. Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 31.0% during the first quarter. Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC now owns 477 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $116,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Marathon Petroleum during the first quarter worth about $106,000. Finally, Amova Asset Management Americas Inc. increased its stake in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 2.1% in the first quarter. Amova Asset Management Americas Inc. now owns 3,383 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $826,000 after buying an additional 70 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 76.77% of the company's stock.

Trending Headlines about Marathon Petroleum

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

• Positive Sentiment: Marathon Petroleum reported a strong earnings beat, with EPS coming in 110% above expectations, reinforcing the view that the company’s refining business is performing well. Marathon Petroleum Corporation Just Beat EPS By 110%: Here's What Analysts Think Will Happen Next
• Positive Sentiment: Goldman Sachs raised its price target on MPC to $291 from $264 and kept a buy rating, suggesting meaningful upside from current levels. Marathon Petroleum had its price target raised by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. from $264.00 to $291.00.
• Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan also lifted its price target on Marathon Petroleum to $257 from $235, adding to the positive analyst momentum around the stock. Marathon Petroleum had its price target raised by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $235.00 to $257.00.
• Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen reportedly raised its price target on MPC to $320, further reinforcing the bullish valuation case. Marathon Petroleum NYSE: MPC Price Target Raised to $320.00 at TD Cowen
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks and Yahoo Finance highlighted MPC as a momentum stock with strong earnings surprises and bullish price trends, which may support trader interest but does not add new company-specific fundamentals. Zacks.com featured highlights include The Vita Coco Company, Indivior Pharmaceuticals and Marathon Petroleum
• Neutral Sentiment: Marathon Petroleum was also included in another “best momentum stocks” roundup, again reflecting positive market sentiment rather than a new operational update. 3 Best Momentum Stocks to Buy Now for Big Upside in May 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: A separate analysis said Marathon Petroleum’s buyback expansion and refinery projects support its valuation story, citing stronger quarterly results and a larger repurchase program. Marathon Petroleum Buyback Expansion And Refinery Projects Underpin Valuation Story

About Marathon Petroleum

Marathon Petroleum Corporation NYSE: MPC is a U.S.-based downstream energy company engaged principally in the refining, marketing, supply and transportation of petroleum products. The company was formed through a spin-off from Marathon Oil in 2011 and operates an integrated system of refining and logistics assets that support the production and distribution of transportation fuels and other refined petroleum products.

Marathon Petroleum's operations include refining crude oil into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt and other specialty products, as well as managing the distribution and storage infrastructure needed to move those products to market.

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