Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC) Upgraded by Wall Street Zen to Strong-Buy Rating

Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Sunday.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on MPC. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Marathon Petroleum to $335.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 6th. Piper Sandler upped their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $197.00 to $228.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Weiss Ratings downgraded Marathon Petroleum from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Wednesday. Raymond James Financial reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Marathon Petroleum in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Mizuho upped their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $205.00 to $224.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $257.25.

Marathon Petroleum Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MPC opened at $245.02 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31. Marathon Petroleum has a twelve month low of $149.65 and a twelve month high of $261.61. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $229.28 and its 200-day moving average is $200.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.99, a PEG ratio of 0.33 and a beta of 0.53.

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 5th. The oil and gas company reported $1.65 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.74 by $0.91. Marathon Petroleum had a return on equity of 16.22% and a net margin of 3.36%.The company had revenue of $34.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $33.42 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned ($0.24) earnings per share. Marathon Petroleum’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.5% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Marathon Petroleum will post 28.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marathon Petroleum Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 20th will be paid a $1.00 dividend. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 20th. Marathon Petroleum’s dividend payout ratio is 26.11%.

Insider Transactions at Marathon Petroleum

In other Marathon Petroleum news, insider Ricky D. Hessling sold 1,810 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $224.78, for a total value of $406,851.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 10,188 shares in the company, valued at $2,290,058.64. This represents a 15.09% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 4,473 shares of company stock valued at $1,015,428. 0.17% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its position in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 30.9% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 4,988 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $696,000 after buying an additional 1,178 shares during the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP lifted its position in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 38.3% during the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 26,697 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $3,889,000 after buying an additional 7,396 shares during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 26.6% during the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 2,221 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $369,000 after buying an additional 466 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new position in shares of Marathon Petroleum during the 2nd quarter valued at $8,505,000. Finally, AXA S.A. lifted its position in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 46.7% during the 2nd quarter. AXA S.A. now owns 39,675 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $6,590,000 after buying an additional 12,639 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 76.77% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Marathon Petroleum

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

• Positive Sentiment: Marathon Petroleum reported a strong earnings beat, with EPS coming in 110% above expectations, reinforcing the view that the company’s refining business is performing well. Marathon Petroleum Corporation Just Beat EPS By 110%: Here’s What Analysts Think Will Happen Next
• Positive Sentiment: Goldman Sachs raised its price target on MPC to $291 from $264 and kept a buy rating, suggesting meaningful upside from current levels. Marathon Petroleum had its price target raised by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. from $264.00 to $291.00.
• Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan also lifted its price target on Marathon Petroleum to $257 from $235, adding to the positive analyst momentum around the stock. Marathon Petroleum had its price target raised by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $235.00 to $257.00.
• Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen reportedly raised its price target on MPC to $320, further reinforcing the bullish valuation case. Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC) Price Target Raised to $320.00 at TD Cowen
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks and Yahoo Finance highlighted MPC as a momentum stock with strong earnings surprises and bullish price trends, which may support trader interest but does not add new company-specific fundamentals. Zacks.com featured highlights include The Vita Coco Company, Indivior Pharmaceuticals and Marathon Petroleum
• Neutral Sentiment: Marathon Petroleum was also included in another “best momentum stocks” roundup, again reflecting positive market sentiment rather than a new operational update. 3 Best Momentum Stocks to Buy Now for Big Upside in May 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: A separate analysis said Marathon Petroleum’s buyback expansion and refinery projects support its valuation story, citing stronger quarterly results and a larger repurchase program. Marathon Petroleum Buyback Expansion And Refinery Projects Underpin Valuation Story

Marathon Petroleum Company Profile

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.