Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC - Get Free Report)'s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $391.98 and last traded at $387.1230, with a volume of 2397835 shares. The stock had previously closed at $383.00.

More Marathon Petroleum News

• Refiner Stocks Are Near Record Highs—Can Iran-Driven Margins Keep Them There?

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

• Positive Sentiment: Refining peers’ results and analyst optimism boosted the sector. MPC gained as strong earnings from other refiners reinforced expectations for healthy fuel demand and profitability. Analysts also remain broadly constructive on the refining outlook, helping support investor sentiment. Why Marathon Petroleum Is Up After Refining Peers’ Earnings Strength and Analyst Optimism
• Positive Sentiment: A potential global fuel squeeze could benefit refiners. Goldman Sachs sees a major shift in oil markets, with tightening fuel supplies potentially creating another refining windfall. Geopolitical risks and disruptions near key shipping routes could further support product prices and refining margins, although these benefits may be cyclical. Goldman Sachs Sees Major Shift Coming for Oil Markets
• Positive Sentiment: Marathon’s latest financial performance remains a fundamental support. The company’s most recent quarter produced earnings per share of $17.73, well above the $14.27 consensus estimate, while revenue increased 53.5% year over year. MPC also maintains a quarterly dividend of $1.00 per share, with a reported payout ratio of 13.75%.
• Neutral Sentiment: Long-term returns highlight MPC’s investment appeal but are not a new operating catalyst. A review of a hypothetical investment made a decade ago emphasizes the potential rewards of holding successful energy stocks over long periods. If You Invested $1000 in Marathon Petroleum a Decade Ago
• Negative Sentiment: Several insiders sold shares near record levels. SVP Shawn Lyon sold 1,425 shares in two transactions for approximately $532,000, while VP and Controller Erin Brzezinski sold 570 shares for about $207,000. The sales reduced their holdings by 8.2% and 26.6%, respectively. The transactions may reflect personal financial decisions, but the cluster of selling could temper enthusiasm. MPC Insider Selling Reports

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have commented on MPC shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded Marathon Petroleum from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Sunday, May 10th. Evercore set a $330.00 price objective on Marathon Petroleum in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Mizuho raised their price target on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $284.00 to $304.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $357.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Marathon Petroleum from $291.00 to $376.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $315.06.

• Oil Prices Are Surging and These 4 Stocks Are Cashing In

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on MPC

Marathon Petroleum Stock Up 1.1%

The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $113.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.31, a PEG ratio of 0.25 and a beta of 0.53. The business's fifty day moving average price is $316.89 and its 200 day moving average price is $264.35.

• Marathon Petroleum Is Back, But Cycles Still Matter

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The oil and gas company reported $17.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $14.27 by $3.46. Marathon Petroleum had a return on equity of 31.96% and a net margin of 5.48%.The firm had revenue of $51.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $40.87 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $3.96 earnings per share. Marathon Petroleum's revenue was up 53.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that Marathon Petroleum Corporation will post 46.66 EPS for the current year.

Marathon Petroleum Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 19th will be given a $1.00 dividend. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 19th. Marathon Petroleum's dividend payout ratio is currently 13.75%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Marathon Petroleum news, insider Molly R. Benson sold 17,196 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $358.57, for a total transaction of $6,165,969.72. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 30,334 shares in the company, valued at $10,876,862.38. This represents a 36.18% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Shawn M. Lyon sold 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, August 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $375.75, for a total transaction of $375,750.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 11,194 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,206,145.50. The trade was a 8.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 21,691 shares of company stock worth $7,780,127. 0.17% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Marathon Petroleum

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Range Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in Marathon Petroleum during the second quarter valued at about $413,000. Corient Private Wealth LP lifted its position in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 8.0% in the 2nd quarter. Corient Private Wealth LP now owns 134,037 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $34,269,000 after acquiring an additional 9,919 shares during the period. Optimize Financial Inc. bought a new position in shares of Marathon Petroleum in the second quarter valued at approximately $209,000. Amundi lifted its stake in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 17.5% during the second quarter. Amundi now owns 2,237,930 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $572,172,000 after acquiring an additional 332,551 shares during the period. Finally, Kirkwood Financial Services acquired a new position in shares of Marathon Petroleum in the 2nd quarter valued at $256,000. 76.77% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marathon Petroleum Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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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