Oak Thistle LLC Invests $1.44 Million in Marathon Oil Co. (NYSE:MRO)

Oak Thistle LLC purchased a new stake in Marathon Oil Co. (NYSE:MRO - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 59,584 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock, valued at approximately $1,440,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of MRO. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. lifted its holdings in Marathon Oil by 2.1% during the fourth quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 23,631 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $571,000 after buying an additional 477 shares during the period. Spirit of America Management Corp NY lifted its holdings in Marathon Oil by 35.2% during the fourth quarter. Spirit of America Management Corp NY now owns 76,773 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $1,855,000 after buying an additional 20,000 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its holdings in shares of Marathon Oil by 4.3% during the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 44,456 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $1,074,000 after purchasing an additional 1,842 shares during the last quarter. Quent Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Marathon Oil by 33.6% during the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 7,000 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $169,000 after purchasing an additional 1,760 shares during the last quarter. Finally, McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Marathon Oil during the 4th quarter valued at $78,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.24% of the company's stock.

Marathon Oil Stock Performance

MRO traded up $0.23 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $28.57. 10,056,948 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,956,358. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $24.52 and its 200 day simple moving average is $25.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $16.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.16 and a beta of 2.22. The company has a current ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. Marathon Oil Co. has a 1-year low of $21.63 and a 1-year high of $29.56.

Marathon Oil (NYSE:MRO - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 22nd. The oil and gas producer reported $0.69 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.62 by $0.07. Marathon Oil had a return on equity of 14.09% and a net margin of 23.20%. The firm had revenue of $1.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.66 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.88 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was down 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Marathon Oil Co. will post 2.46 earnings per share for the current year.

Marathon Oil Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 11th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 21st were given a dividend of $0.11 per share. This represents a $0.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 20th. Marathon Oil's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 17.19%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Patrick Wagner sold 36,094 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.65, for a total value of $997,999.10. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 140,829 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,893,921.85. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, CFO Dane E. Whitehead sold 73,233 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.06, for a total value of $1,981,684.98. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 152,008 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,113,336.48. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Patrick Wagner sold 36,094 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.65, for a total transaction of $997,999.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 140,829 shares in the company, valued at $3,893,921.85. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 281,332 shares of company stock worth $7,644,903 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.42% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Marathon Oil from $24.00 to $26.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday. Argus raised Marathon Oil from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $31.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 14th. Truist Financial cut their target price on Marathon Oil from $38.00 to $35.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on Marathon Oil from $39.00 to $36.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on Marathon Oil from $26.50 to $30.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 26th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Marathon Oil has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $31.68.

Marathon Oil Company Profile

Marathon Oil Corporation, an independent exploration and production company, engages in exploration, production, and marketing of crude oil and condensate, natural gas liquids, and natural gas in the United States and internationally. The company also produces and markets products manufactured from natural gas, such as liquefied natural gas and methanol.