Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC) Stock Rated “Moderate Buy” by Sell-Side Analysts

Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC) has received a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the seventeen brokerages that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, eleven have given a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $417.88.

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on MPC shares. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $376.00 to $472.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, September 21st. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on Marathon Petroleum from $344.00 to $462.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, September 3rd. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $265.00 to $453.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, September 14th. Zacks Research raised Marathon Petroleum from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, September 4th. Finally, Evercore set a $330.00 target price on Marathon Petroleum in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th.

Insider Activity at Marathon Petroleum

In related news, SVP Shawn M. Lyon sold 2,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $350.00, for a total value of $875,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 12,619 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,416,650. This trade represents a 16.54% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Molly R. Benson sold 17,196 shares of Marathon Petroleum stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $358.57, for a total transaction of $6,165,969.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 30,334 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $10,876,862.38. This represents a 36.18% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 21,691 shares of company stock worth $7,780,127. Insiders own 0.17% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Solstein Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Marathon Petroleum during the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Caitlin John LLC bought a new stake in Marathon Petroleum in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc purchased a new stake in Marathon Petroleum in the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. Main Street Group LTD bought a new position in Marathon Petroleum during the first quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Cetera Trust Company N.A bought a new position in Marathon Petroleum during the second quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Institutional investors own 76.77% of the company’s stock.

Marathon Petroleum Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MPC opened at $469.02 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $405.97 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $314.27. The stock has a market capitalization of $136.92 billion, a PE ratio of 16.12, a P/E/G ratio of 0.14 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 0.89. Marathon Petroleum has a fifty-two week low of $161.93 and a fifty-two week high of $493.98.

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The oil and gas company reported $17.73 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $14.27 by $3.46. Marathon Petroleum had a net margin of 5.48% and a return on equity of 31.96%. The company 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 company earned $3.96 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 53.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Marathon Petroleum will post 64.00 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marathon Petroleum Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 19th were paid a dividend of $1.00 per share. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 19th. Marathon Petroleum’s payout ratio is presently 13.75%.

Key Marathon Petroleum News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Strong refining margins support earnings: Higher fuel margins are improving profitability across U.S. refiners, including MPC. The favorable industry backdrop could sustain cash flow and shareholder returns if margins remain elevated. U.S. Refiners Benefit From Strong Margins: Will Momentum Last?
• Positive Sentiment: Positive long-term performance and momentum: MPC has substantially outperformed the broader market and major technology stocks in 2026, attracting investor attention and reinforcing the bullish momentum case. An Oil Refiner Is Beating Nvidia This Year
• Neutral Sentiment: Supplier recognition highlights operational relationships: Cognite was named MPC’s Corporate Supplier of the Year, recognizing its contribution to the company’s business. The award is positive for the relationship but is unlikely to materially affect MPC’s earnings or valuation. Cognite Earns Corporate Supplier of the Year Award from Marathon Petroleum Corporation
• Negative Sentiment: Profit-taking and valuation concerns: After establishing a new one-year high and advancing sharply, MPC faces a higher risk of profit-taking. Analysts have also questioned the stock’s limited margin of safety and whether profitability has reached a ceiling. Marathon Petroleum: Good Momentum Stocks, But Little Margin Of Safety
• Negative Sentiment: Middle East risks could pressure margins: Higher crude prices linked to regional tensions may benefit upstream producers but can raise refiners’ input costs. Investors are weighing whether the conflict-driven boost to energy prices and refining economics can last. Marathon Petroleum Profitability Seems To Have A Ceiling With The Mature Conflict In The Middle East

Marathon Petroleum Company Profile

Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC) is an American downstream energy company engaged in refining, marketing, and transporting petroleum products. Its operations include converting crude oil into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt, propane, and other refined products used by transportation, industrial, and commercial customers.

The company markets fuel under the Marathon brand and supplies products to independent marketers, commercial businesses, and other wholesale customers. Marathon Petroleum also owns a general-partner interest and significant limited-partner interest in MPLX Inc, a midstream company that operates pipelines, storage facilities, terminals, and gathering and processing assets supporting the movement of crude oil and natural gas liquids.

Marathon Petroleum’s refining and midstream activities are concentrated in the United States, with assets serving regions across the Midwest, Gulf Coast, and West Coast.