Zacks Research upgraded shares of Murphy Oil (NYSE:MUR – Free Report) from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report released on Wednesday,Zacks reports. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Murphy Oil’s Q3 2026 earnings at $0.40 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.41 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.77 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.75 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $3.02 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $3.05 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.59 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.56 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.62 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.64 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.72 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $2.59 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $2.68 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $0.97 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $0.93 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $0.66 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $0.69 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $0.75 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $0.73 EPS, FY2028 earnings at $2.87 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $2.97 EPS.
A number of other research analysts have also issued reports on MUR. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Murphy Oil from $36.00 to $37.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 15th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Murphy Oil from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, October 17th. Wells Fargo & Company reissued a “positive” rating on shares of Murphy Oil in a research report on Tuesday, September 29th. Seaport Research Partners started coverage on shares of Murphy Oil in a report on Thursday, September 3rd. They set a “neutral” rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group raised their price target on Murphy Oil from $38.00 to $40.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $39.75.
Get Our Latest Analysis on MUR
Murphy Oil Stock Down 0.4%
Shares of Murphy Oil stock opened at $42.80 on Wednesday. Murphy Oil has a 12-month low of $26.49 and a 12-month high of $45.03. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $38.56 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $36.73. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.19 and a beta of 0.59.
Murphy Oil (NYSE:MUR – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The oil and gas producer reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.57 by ($0.02). Murphy Oil had a net margin of 9.74% and a return on equity of 6.63%. The firm had revenue of $926.33 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $888.51 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.27 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 33.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that Murphy Oil will post 3.68 earnings per share for the current year.
Murphy Oil Announces Dividend
The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 16th will be paid a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 16th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.3%. Murphy Oil’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 69.31%.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Murphy Oil
Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Jupiter Topco LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Murphy Oil during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,065,000. SailingStone Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Murphy Oil during the second quarter valued at approximately $15,852,000. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new stake in shares of Murphy Oil during the second quarter valued at approximately $45,719,000. Legal & General Group Plc bought a new stake in shares of Murphy Oil during the second quarter valued at approximately $5,789,000. Finally, Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Murphy Oil in the first quarter valued at $1,745,000. 78.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Key Stories Impacting Murphy Oil
Here are the key news stories impacting Murphy Oil this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Zacks upgraded Murphy Oil to Rank #1 (Strong Buy), citing improving earnings prospects. The stock was also added to Zacks’ Strong Buy, value, and income-stock lists, which could increase investor interest. Murphy Oil Upgraded to Strong Buy
- Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised multiple EPS forecasts, including estimates for Q4 2026 to $0.75 from $0.66, FY2026 to $3.02 from $2.92, FY2027 to $2.59 from $2.44, and FY2028 to $2.87 from $2.50. Several quarterly estimates were also increased, indicating stronger expected profitability over the next several years. Murphy Oil analyst earnings estimates
- Positive Sentiment: The estimate revisions improve Murphy Oil’s earnings outlook, while the company’s recent results showed revenue growth of 33.5% year over year. Its shares are also trading well above their 50-day and 200-day moving averages, reflecting favorable recent momentum.
- Neutral Sentiment: A Zacks analysis highlighted value, growth, and momentum factors but questioned whether Murphy Oil has the right combination of indicators for a likely earnings beat in its upcoming report. This creates uncertainty ahead of results. Murphy Oil earnings expected to grow
- Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research trimmed its Q4 2027 EPS estimate to $0.72 from $0.74. In addition, Murphy Oil previously narrowly missed quarterly EPS expectations, which may be contributing to some investor caution despite the broader series of upward revisions. Murphy Oil research coverage
Murphy Oil Company Profile
Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE:MUR) is an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company. Its activities include identifying, acquiring, developing and producing crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, with a focus on high-quality assets in North America.
The company’s operations are primarily located in the United States, including onshore assets in the Eagle Ford Shale of South Texas and offshore properties in the Gulf of Mexico. Murphy Oil has also historically maintained exploration and production interests in Canada and other international regions, although its current portfolio is concentrated in the United States.
Founded in 1950, Murphy Oil has evolved from a diversified energy company into a focused exploration and production business.
Read More
- Five stocks we like better than Murphy Oil
- Robinhood Stock Is Down Nearly 37%—So Why Is Wall Street Still So Bullish?
- 5 Stocks to Buy in November: Bargains Worth Giving Thanks For
- Phillips 66 Posts Strong Earnings But the Stock Doesn’t Care
- NXP Semiconductors Falls After Strong Earnings—Is the Sell-Off Overdone?
Receive News & Ratings for Murphy Oil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Murphy Oil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
