Murphy Oil (NYSE:MUR) Trading 9.5% Higher – Should You Buy?

Murphy Oil Corporation (NYSE:MUR) shares shot up 9.5% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $32.68 and last traded at $32.7550. 1,632,703 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 29% from the average session volume of 2,308,818 shares. The stock had previously closed at $29.92.

Trending Headlines about Murphy Oil

Here are the key news stories impacting Murphy Oil this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Murphy reported successful appraisal results at the Hai Su Vang (HSV‑2X) well, which management says unlocks significant resource upside for the field — a clear catalyst for higher future production/value. Appraisal Success Release
• Positive Sentiment: Company confirmation that the HSV‑2X appraisal confirms material oil volumes offshore Vietnam — this validation increases the reserves/resource outlook and potential future cash flow. Major Reserves Confirmation
• Positive Sentiment: Multiple industry reports describe the discovery as one of the biggest in the region in decades, which raises strategic and valuation upside if development and commercialization proceed as planned. Nikkei Coverage
• Positive Sentiment: Technical/industry outlets report increases to Cuu Long Basin reserves tied to the appraisal, supporting a higher resource base in Murphy’s key shelf asset. Reserves Upgrade
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst and media pieces characterize the appraisal as a “solid base hit” and the company presented at the Goldman Sachs Energy, CleanTech & Utilities conference — both increase investor attention and help re‑rate the stock on better resource visibility. Seeking Alpha Take Goldman Sachs Presentation
• Neutral Sentiment: Murphy filed to offer $500 million of senior notes due 2034 to refinance its 2027 and 2028 notes — this extends maturities and should reduce near‑term refinancing risk, though terms (coupon) are market‑dependent. Investors see it as prudent liquidity management but it increases long‑term debt commitments. Debt Offering
• Neutral Sentiment: Murphy amended/extended its revolving credit facility (announced alongside the appraisal updates), which supports liquidity as the company advances appraisal→development planning. Credit Facility Update

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Murphy Oil in a report on Monday, December 29th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Murphy Oil from $26.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Piper Sandler reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $34.00 price objective on shares of Murphy Oil in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Murphy Oil from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Murphy Oil from $27.00 to $31.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Murphy Oil has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $29.58.

Murphy Oil Trading Up 8.7%

The stock has a market cap of $4.64 billion, a PE ratio of 33.15 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $30.83 and its 200 day moving average price is $27.58.

Murphy Oil (NYSE:MUR) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, March 21st. The oil and gas producer reported ($0.09) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $440.08 million during the quarter. Murphy Oil had a net margin of 5.16% and a return on equity of 4.30%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Murphy Oil Corporation will post 2.94 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Murphy Oil

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. grew its stake in shares of Murphy Oil by 60.0% during the 3rd quarter. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. now owns 2,119,622 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $60,218,000 after acquiring an additional 794,510 shares during the period. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Murphy Oil during the second quarter valued at approximately $367,000. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Murphy Oil by 10.1% in the second quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 124,614 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $2,804,000 after purchasing an additional 11,470 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in shares of Murphy Oil by 7.0% in the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 4,766,534 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $107,247,000 after purchasing an additional 312,904 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Paragon Capital Management Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Murphy Oil during the 2nd quarter valued at $204,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.31% of the company’s stock.

Murphy Oil Company Profile

Murphy Oil Corporation is an independent upstream oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, development and production of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. The company’s operations encompass conventional onshore and offshore reservoirs, with an emphasis on liquids-rich properties and deepwater assets. Through a combination of proprietary technologies and strategic joint ventures, Murphy Oil seeks to optimize recovery rates and manage its portfolio to balance long-term resource development with operational flexibility.

Murphy Oil’s exploration and production activities are geographically diversified.