KBC Group NV Raises Holdings in Marathon Petroleum Corporation $MPC

KBC Group NV increased its stake in shares of Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC) by 22.4% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 225,837 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after buying an additional 41,259 shares during the period. KBC Group NV’s holdings in Marathon Petroleum were worth $36,728,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in MPC. Reyes Financial Architecture Inc. raised its position in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 3,405.7% in the 4th quarter. Reyes Financial Architecture Inc. now owns 1,227 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $200,000 after purchasing an additional 1,192 shares during the last quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC raised its position in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 44.0% in the 4th quarter. Annex Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,965 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $320,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 22.3% in the 4th quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,861 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $502,000 after purchasing an additional 522 shares during the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 38.9% in the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 14,120 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $2,296,000 after purchasing an additional 3,952 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Freestone Capital Holdings LLC raised its position in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Freestone Capital Holdings LLC now owns 9,686 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $1,575,000 after purchasing an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. 76.77% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Marathon Petroleum Stock Performance

Shares of Marathon Petroleum stock opened at $226.54 on Friday. Marathon Petroleum Corporation has a one year low of $124.00 and a one year high of $255.77. The company has a market cap of $66.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.97, a PEG ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 1.26. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $221.11 and its 200 day moving average price is $196.88.

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 3rd. The oil and gas company reported $4.07 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.73 by $0.34. Marathon Petroleum had a return on equity of 13.90% and a net margin of 2.99%.The firm had revenue of $32.57 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $30.89 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.77 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Marathon Petroleum Corporation will post 8.47 EPS for the current year.

Marathon Petroleum Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 18th were issued a $1.00 dividend. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 18th. Marathon Petroleum’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.96%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Marathon Petroleum from $184.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Marathon Petroleum from $263.00 to $279.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday. Zacks Research raised Marathon Petroleum from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 7th. Scotiabank raised Marathon Petroleum to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, March 27th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their price objective on Marathon Petroleum from $197.00 to $228.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $237.50.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Ricky D. Hessling sold 1,626 shares of Marathon Petroleum stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $228.18, for a total value of $371,020.68. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 7,525 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,717,054.50. This trade represents a 17.77% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In the last three months, insiders have sold 4,473 shares of company stock valued at $1,015,428. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Key Stories Impacting Marathon Petroleum

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

• Positive Sentiment: Marathon and its MLP, MPLX, signed new multi‑billion dollar unsecured revolving credit agreements that replace prior facilities and extend potential borrowing capacity to 2031, supported by major global lenders—improves liquidity and lowers near‑term refinancing risk. Marathon Petroleum Extends Liquidity To 2031 With New Credit Lines
• Positive Sentiment: High oil prices (WTI ≈ $100+/bbl) are widening crack spreads, which typically boost refiners’ margins and cash generation—benefiting Marathon’s earnings, free cash flow and ability to sustain dividends/buybacks. 3 Energy Stocks For Steady Passive Income
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage pieces explain why refiners (including Marathon) are primary beneficiaries of $100 oil because crack spreads, not upstream production, drive refiner profits—supporting investor interest in MPC. Why Oil Refiners Are the Real Winners of $100 Oil Prices (MPC)
• Positive Sentiment: An analyst price target was raised to $279, signaling bullish analyst sentiment that can help support further upside if guidance and margins hold. Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC) Price Target Raised to $279.00
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts expect a strong upcoming quarterly report (street consensus points to robust, potentially triple‑digit EPS growth year‑over‑year), which raises expectations for near‑term upside if results beat. What to Expect From Marathon Petroleum’s Next Quarterly Earnings Report
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks ran pieces highlighting MPC’s short‑term outperformance and its appeal as a long‑term value stock—useful context for positioning but not new company fundamentals. Why Marathon Petroleum (MPC) Outpaced the Stock Market Today
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst roundup and feature stories (Globe and Mail, MSN) provide broader market/brand context but contain no material operational updates. Analysts Offer Insights on Energy Companies: Marathon Petroleum (MPC)…

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.