Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC) Sets New 1-Year High on Analyst Upgrade

Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC – Get Free Report)’s share price reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday after Barclays raised their price target on the stock from $321.00 to $488.00. Barclays currently has an overweight rating on the stock. Marathon Petroleum traded as high as $470.84 and last traded at $469.3320, with a volume of 96,331 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $458.81.

MPC has been the subject of several other research reports. TD Cowen boosted their target price on Marathon Petroleum from $357.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Marathon Petroleum from $359.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 1st. Raymond James Financial increased their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $350.00 to $445.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, September 14th. Citigroup reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Marathon Petroleum in a report on Friday, October 2nd. Finally, Bank of America raised their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $410.00 to $426.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, October 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Marathon Petroleum has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $395.38.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on MPC

Insider Transactions at Marathon Petroleum

In related news, insider Molly R. Benson sold 17,196 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 completion of 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 ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Erin M. Brzezinski sold 570 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 27th. The stock was 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 trade represents a 26.56% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 21,691 shares of company stock valued at $7,780,127. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Marathon Petroleum

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Solstein Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Marathon Petroleum in the second quarter worth about $26,000. Caitlin John LLC purchased a new position in Marathon Petroleum during the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc purchased a new position in Marathon Petroleum during the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Main Street Group LTD bought a new stake in shares of Marathon Petroleum in the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Cetera Trust Company N.A bought a new stake in shares of Marathon Petroleum in the 2nd quarter valued at about $35,000. 76.77% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marathon Petroleum Price Performance

The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $383.45 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $302.84. The stock has a market cap of $136.71 billion, a PE ratio of 16.10, 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 analysts’ consensus estimates of $14.27 by $3.46. The firm had revenue of $51.99 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $40.87 billion. Marathon Petroleum had a net margin of 5.48% and a return on equity of 31.96%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 53.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.96 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that Marathon Petroleum Corporation will post 61.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marathon Petroleum Dividend Announcement

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

Marathon Petroleum Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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.

Further Reading

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