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Diversify Advisory Services LLC increased its position in shares of Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC – Free Report) by 23.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 8,366 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,600 shares during the period. Diversify Advisory Services LLC’s holdings in Marathon Petroleum were worth $3,308,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Marathon Petroleum during the 2nd quarter valued at $6,648,958,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new position in shares of Marathon Petroleum in the second quarter worth $1,029,611,000. Bank of America Corp DE increased its holdings in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 1.6% in the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 2,595,084 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $633,668,000 after purchasing an additional 40,124 shares during the period. Amundi increased its holdings in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 17.5% in the second quarter. Amundi now owns 2,237,930 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $572,172,000 after purchasing an additional 332,551 shares during the period. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its position in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 16.7% in the second quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 1,508,489 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $385,675,000 after buying an additional 215,686 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 76.77% of the company’s stock.

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

Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen raised its price target to $478 from $450, signaling continued confidence in Marathon Petroleum’s outlook and suggesting additional upside from recent trading levels. TD Cowen Adjusts Price Target on Marathon Petroleum to $478 From $450 Positive Sentiment: Zacks added MPC to its Rank #1 (Strong Buy) growth-stocks list, reinforcing the bullish view on the company’s earnings and growth prospects. Best Growth Stocks to Buy for October 22nd Positive Sentiment: Strong U.S. fuel refining margins are supporting refinery profitability, keeping MPC in focus alongside Valero Energy and Phillips 66 and providing a favorable near-term earnings backdrop. U.S. Refiners Benefit From Strong Margins: Will Momentum Last? Neutral Sentiment: Supplier Cognite was named Marathon Petroleum’s Corporate Supplier of the Year. The recognition highlights supplier contributions but does not represent a material change to MPC’s financial outlook. Cognite Earns Corporate Supplier of the Year Award from Marathon Petroleum Corporation Negative Sentiment: Shares declined in the prior session despite a broader market uptick, suggesting some company-specific selling or profit-taking after the stock’s substantial advance. Marathon Petroleum Stock Falls Amid Market Uptick Negative Sentiment: Commentary warns that MPC has limited margin of safety at its elevated valuation and that refining profitability may face a ceiling if Middle East tensions mature or fade, potentially reducing exceptional margins. Marathon Petroleum Profitability Seems To Have A Ceiling Marathon Petroleum Trading Down 1.8% Shares of MPC opened at $459.58 on Friday. Marathon Petroleum Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $161.93 and a fifty-two week high of $493.98. The firm has a market cap of $134.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.80, a PEG ratio of 0.12 and a beta of 0.54. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $408.02 and a 200-day moving average price of $315.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 1.25. Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC – Get Free Report) last released 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. The company had revenue of $51.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $40.87 billion. Marathon Petroleum had a net margin of 5.48% and a return on equity of 31.96%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 53.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.96 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Marathon Petroleum Corporation will post 63.58 earnings per share for the current year.

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

Insider Buying and Selling at Marathon Petroleum In other news, VP Erin M. Brzezinski sold 570 shares of Marathon Petroleum stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $362.79, for a total value of $206,790.30. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 1,576 shares in the company, valued at approximately $571,757.04. The trade was a 26.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. 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 dated Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $358.57, for a total value of $6,165,969.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 30,334 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,876,862.38. This represents a 36.18% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 21,691 shares of company stock worth $7,780,127 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.17% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes MPC has been the subject of several research analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Marathon Petroleum from $376.00 to $472.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, September 21st. Zacks Research upgraded Marathon Petroleum from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, September 4th. Bank of America upped their target price on Marathon Petroleum from $410.00 to $426.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, October 2nd. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $265.00 to $453.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, September 14th. Finally, Raymond James Financial raised their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $350.00 to $445.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, September 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $424.31.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on MPC

(Free Report)

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.

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Key Takeaways Marathon Petroleum's refining margin rose to $36.33 per barrel in Q2 2026.Valero Energy's refining income climbed to $4.5 billion, supported by stronger refining conditions.Phillips 66 raised refining margins to $24.08 per barrel and cut total debt to $20.6 billion.
The U.S. refining industry is entering the third-quarter 2026 earnings season amid stronger refining margins, supported by tight global supplies of refined products and higher fuel prices.  These conditions can boost refiners' earnings by widening the difference between the prices they receive for refined fuels and the cost of crude oil. The favorable environment could benefit refiners with efficient operations, strong throughput and disciplined cost management.  However, higher operating expenses, maintenance requirements and changes in fuel demand could limit the gains.

Three companies worth watching are Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC - Free Report) , Valero Energy Corporation (VLO - Free Report) and Phillips 66 (PSX - Free Report) . Their second-quarter 2026 results highlight the benefits of stronger refining margins, while differences in their operations and financial priorities offer investors distinct ways to gain exposure to the industry.

Refining Margins Strengthen Amid Tight Fuel SuppliesThe U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”) reported that U.S. refinery utilization averaged 95% in the third quarter of 2026, the highest crude-processing level for that quarter since 2019. The quarterly average gasoline crack spread more than doubled from a year earlier, while distillate and jet fuel crack spreads almost tripled.

A crack spread measures the difference between the price of crude oil and the value of the refined products produced from it. Wider spreads can improve refining profitability, provided operating costs and other factors remain manageable.

Supply conditions also supported margins. For the week ended Sept. 25, U.S. distillate inventories were 13% below their five-year seasonal average, while gasoline inventories were 7% below average. Disruptions to refining operations in Russia, China and the Middle East contributed to tighter global supplies.

However, the EIA noted that gasoline crack spreads declined during the second half of the quarter. This suggests that refining margins can change quickly as supply, demand and crude oil prices shift.

Against this backdrop, Marathon Petroleum, Valero Energy and Phillips 66 are well positioned to benefit from stronger refining margins and tighter fuel supplies.

Marathon Petroleum: Strong Refining Margins Drive Earnings GrowthMarathon Petroleum's second-quarter 2026 results highlight the earnings potential of stronger refining margins. The company reported net income of $5.1 billion, or $17.73 per diluted share, compared with $1.2 billion, or $3.96, in the prior-year quarter.

Its Refining & Marketing segment generated adjusted EBITDA of $6.7 billion, up from $1.9 billion a year earlier. The segment's refining margin increased to $36.33 per barrel from $17.58, while crude capacity utilization reached 94%. Total throughput averaged 2.9 million barrels per day.

Marathon Petroleum's large refining system and integrated midstream operations provide exposure to favorable fuel-market conditions. The company also returned more than $2.8 billion to its shareholders during the quarter.

However, refining operating costs increased to $5.72 per barrel from $5.34 a year earlier, partly reflecting planned downtime. The challenge for Marathon Petroleum is to sustain strong margins while managing costs and maintenance requirements. While Marathon Petroleum offers substantial refining exposure, Valero Energy combines a large refining business with additional renewable fuel operations.

Valero Energy: Strong Refining Profits and Shareholder ReturnsValero Energy also benefited from stronger refining conditions. The company reported second-quarter net income of $3.7 billion, or $12.62 per share, up from $714 million, or $2.28, in the year-ago quarter.

The Refining segment reported operating income of $4.5 billion, up from $1.3 billion in the prior-year quarter. Refining throughput averaged 3 million barrels per day.

Valero Energy's geographic reach and refining scale provide exposure to multiple fuel markets. Its renewable diesel and ethanol operations also offer additional earnings sources, although their profitability can differ from that of conventional refining.

The company returned $2.6 billion to its shareholders during the quarter and ended June with $7.9 billion in cash and cash equivalents. Its net debt-to-capital ratio stood at 11%.

Compared with Marathon Petroleum, Valero Energy offers a similar large-scale refining business but also has exposure to renewable fuels. Investors should assess whether favorable refining conditions can continue to support earnings and shareholder returns as fuel demand and operating costs change.

Phillips 66: Higher Refining Margins Support Debt ReductionPhillips 66's second-quarter 2026 results show another way to benefit from stronger refining conditions while pursuing broader financial priorities. The company reported earnings of $3.85 billion, or $9.55 per share, compared with $207 million in the first quarter. Adjusted earnings reached $3.79 billion, or $9.41 per share.

The Refining segment's realized margin increased to $24.08 per barrel from $10.11 in the first quarter. Crude capacity utilization improved to 96%, while higher market crack spreads contributed to stronger refining profitability.

Phillips 66 also reduced total debt to $20.6 billion from $27.1 billion at the end of the first quarter, bringing net debt to $16.5 billion.

Unlike a business focused primarily on refining, Phillips 66 operates across midstream, chemicals, marketing and specialties, and renewable fuels. This diversification provides additional sources of earnings, although weaker performance in other segments could offset some refining gains.

Compared with Marathon Petroleum and Valero Energy, Phillips 66 combines refining exposure with a broader business portfolio and debt reduction. Its future performance will depend on whether strong refining margins translate into sustained cash flow while the company manages costs and capital spending.

ConclusionEIA data indicate that tight fuel supplies and stronger refining margins created a favorable operating environment for U.S. refiners in the third quarter of 2026. Marathon Petroleum, Valero Energy and Phillips 66 entered the period with strong second-quarter results, although their business models and financial priorities differ.

Marathon Petroleum offers substantial refining exposure and significant shareholder returns, Valero Energy combines refining scale with renewable fuel operations and Phillips 66 provides a diversified portfolio alongside debt reduction.

However, elevated margins may not last if fuel supplies improve, demand weakens or crude oil costs rise faster than refined-product prices. Investors should compare the companies' third-quarter earnings, realized margins, throughput, operating costs and cash flow to determine whether the favorable market environment is translating into sustainable financial performance.

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What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.

Each stock is given an alphabetic rating of A, B, C, D or F based on their value, growth, and momentum qualities. With this system, an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on, meaning the better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform.

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Momentum ScoreMomentum trading is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook, and these investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." The Momentum Style Score can pinpoint good times to build a position in a stock, using factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates.

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Stock to Watch: Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) Findlay, OH-based Marathon Petroleum Corporation is a leading independent refiner, transporter and marketer of petroleum products. The company, in its current form, came into existence following the 2011 spin-off of Houston, TX-based Marathon Oil Corporation’s refining/sales business into a separate, independent and publicly traded entity. In October 2018, Marathon Petroleum completed the acquisition of its rival Andeavor in a $23.3 billion deal, thereby becoming the nationwide largest refining company by market capitalization. The deal also made the company the largest U.S. refiner and the fifth largest in the world by capacity.

MPC is a #1 (Strong Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.

It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 7.55; value investors should take notice.

Seven analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $16.12 to $62.78 per share. MPC boasts an average earnings surprise of +49.3%.

With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, MPC should be on investors' short list.

Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) ended the recent trading session at $476.26, demonstrating a -1.79% change from the preceding day's closing price. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.33%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 1.08%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.08%.

The refiner's shares have seen an increase of 17.15% over the last month, surpassing the Oils-Energy sector's gain of 5.67% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.41%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Marathon Petroleum in its upcoming release. The company is slated to reveal its earnings on November 3, 2026. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $25.13, marking a 734.88% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $33.56 billion, down 6.38% from the prior-year quarter.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $62.78 per share and revenue of $155.33 billion, indicating changes of +486.73% and +14.87%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Investors should also pay attention to any latest changes in analyst estimates for Marathon Petroleum. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 6.13% rise in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Marathon Petroleum presently features a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

With respect to valuation, Marathon Petroleum is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 7.72. This valuation marks a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 8.76.

Also, we should mention that MPC has a PEG ratio of 0.14. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. The Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry had an average PEG ratio of 0.29 as trading concluded yesterday.

The Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 4, positioning it in the top 2% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.

First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. lifted its position in Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC – Free Report) by 28.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 15,780 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after buying an additional 3,525 shares during the quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co.’s holdings in Marathon Petroleum were worth $6,240,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in Marathon Petroleum in the 2nd quarter valued at $6,648,958,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new position in shares of Marathon Petroleum during the 2nd quarter worth about $1,029,611,000. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in Marathon Petroleum by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 2,595,084 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $633,668,000 after buying an additional 40,124 shares during the last quarter. Amundi increased its position in Marathon Petroleum by 17.5% in the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 2,237,930 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $572,172,000 after buying an additional 332,551 shares during the period. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its position in Marathon Petroleum by 16.7% in the 2nd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 1,508,489 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $385,675,000 after buying an additional 215,686 shares during the period. 76.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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

Positive Sentiment: Barclays raised its price target to $488, indicating continued confidence in Marathon Petroleum’s outlook and leaving modest implied upside from recent levels. Barclays raises Marathon Petroleum stock target to USD 488.00 Positive Sentiment: Citigroup lifted its target sharply to $518 from $318. Although Citi maintained a neutral rating, the higher valuation reflects improved expectations for the refiner’s earnings and cash generation. Marathon Petroleum stock 10-month winning streak Positive Sentiment: MPC is being highlighted alongside BP, PBF and Valero as a relatively low-beta energy stock that may provide resilience amid elevated oil prices, Middle East tensions and broader market volatility. Stay Ahead of Market Swings With BP, PBF, VLO & MPC Positive Sentiment: Technical momentum remains strong: the stock is approaching a potential 10-month winning streak, a pattern last seen in 2013, while the refining ETF CRAK has posted substantial gains this year. Marathon Petroleum stock 10-month winning streak Neutral Sentiment: DBS reiterated a Hold rating, suggesting the firm sees balanced upside and downside after MPC’s substantial rally. DBS Keeps Their Hold Rating on Marathon Petroleum Negative Sentiment: Investors are questioning whether MPC’s share price still reflects reasonable intrinsic value based on future cash flow after an approximately sevenfold five-year return. This raises the risk that valuation, rather than fundamentals, could weigh on the stock. Can Marathon Petroleum Still Justify Its Price On Cash Flow? Marathon Petroleum Trading Up 1.6% Shares of MPC opened at $484.44 on Thursday. Marathon Petroleum Corporation has a 1 year low of $161.93 and a 1 year high of $485.22. 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 stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $390.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of $306.16. The stock has a market cap of $141.43 billion, a PE ratio of 18.03, a PEG ratio of 0.15 and a beta of 0.54. Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The oil and gas company reported $17.73 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $14.27 by $3.46. The business had revenue of $51.99 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $40.87 billion. Marathon Petroleum had a return on equity of 31.96% and a net margin of 5.48%. Marathon Petroleum’s revenue was up 53.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.96 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Marathon Petroleum Corporation will post 61.17 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marathon Petroleum Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 19th were paid a dividend of $1.00 per share. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 19th. Marathon Petroleum’s dividend payout ratio is currently 13.75%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marathon Petroleum In other Marathon Petroleum news, VP Erin M. Brzezinski sold 570 shares of Marathon Petroleum stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $362.79, for a total transaction of $206,790.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 1,576 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $571,757.04. This trade represents a 26.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Molly Benson sold 17,196 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction 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 sale, the insider owned 30,334 shares in the company, valued at $10,876,862.38. This represents a 36.18% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders sold 21,691 shares of company stock valued at $7,780,127. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MPC has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Citigroup upped their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $318.00 to $518.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Marathon Petroleum from $265.00 to $453.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, September 14th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “hold” rating and set a $433.00 price objective on shares of Marathon Petroleum in a research report on Sunday. Zacks Research upgraded Marathon Petroleum from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, September 4th. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their target price on Marathon Petroleum from $344.00 to $462.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, September 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $417.88.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on MPC

Marathon Petroleum Company Profile (Free Report)

Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:MPC) is an integrated downstream energy company engaged primarily in refining, marketing and transporting petroleum products. The company converts crude oil and other feedstocks into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt, propane and other refined products used by consumers, businesses and industrial customers.

Marathon Petroleum operates refineries and related logistics assets in the United States, with a refining and marketing presence serving markets across the Midwest, Gulf Coast and West Coast.

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Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock's recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the "long context," investors will essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.

Even though momentum is a popular stock characteristic, it can be tough to define. Debate surrounding which are the best and worst metrics to focus on is lengthy, but the Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.

Below, we take a look at Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) , which currently has a Momentum Style Score of A. We also discuss some of the main drivers of the Momentum Style Score, like price change and earnings estimate revisions.

It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. Marathon Petroleum currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.

You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>

Set to Beat the Market? In order to see if MPC is a promising momentum pick, let's examine some Momentum Style elements to see if this refiner holds up.

Looking at a stock's short-term price activity is a great way to gauge if it has momentum, since this can reflect both the current interest in a stock and if buyers or sellers have the upper hand at the moment. It's also helpful to compare a security to its industry; this can show investors the best companies in a particular area.

For MPC, shares are up 7.74% over the past week while the Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry is up 1.9% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 14.93% compares favorably with the industry's 3.98% performance as well.

Considering longer term price metrics, like performance over the last three months or year, can be advantageous as well. Shares of Marathon Petroleum have increased 45.56% over the past quarter, and have gained 151.55% in the last year. In comparison, the S&P 500 has only moved 3.86% and 17.17%, respectively.

Investors should also pay attention to MPC's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. MPC is currently averaging 3,004,312 shares for the last 20 days.

Earnings OutlookThe Zacks Momentum Style Score also takes into account trends in estimate revisions, in addition to price changes. Please note that estimate revision trends remain at the core of Zacks Rank as well. A nice path here can help show promise, and we have recently been seeing that with MPC.

Over the past two months, 6 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost MPC's consensus estimate, increasing from $46.66 to $61.46 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 6 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.

Bottom LineTaking into account all of these elements, it should come as no surprise that MPC is a #1 (Strong Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of A. If you've been searching for a fresh pick that's set to rise in the near-term, make sure to keep Marathon Petroleum on your short list.

Key Takeaways Marathon Petroleum targets about 3 million bpd of Q3 throughput after 94% utilization in Q2.MPC's 112% R&M margin capture in Q2 reflects strong margins and optimized feedstocks and yields.MPC's Robinson and El Paso projects aim to boost higher-value jet fuel and specialty gasoline output. Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) has targeted refinery throughput of approximately 3 million barrels per day (bpd) for the third quarter, reflecting the strong operating momentum and ability to run its system at high utilization. The target included 2.82 million bpd of crude oil and 185,000 bpd of other charge and blendstocks.

The guidance follows a strong second quarter, when MPC processed nearly 3 million bpd with 94% refinery utilization. Its Gulf Coast operations ran at 100% utilization, while the West Coast and Mid-Continent operated at 93% and 87%, respectively. The company also generated Refining & Marketing (R&M) adjusted EBITDA of $24.84 per barrel, supported by strong margins and operating execution.

MPC’s ability to maintain high throughput is supported by its integrated refining system and access to economically advantaged crude. Management highlighted the company’s ability to optimize feedstocks and product yields, helping it capture value across different market conditions. R&M margin capture reached 112% in the second quarter and 108% in the first half of 2026.

The company is also strengthening its refinery portfolio through targeted investments. The Robinson project is expected to enable approximately 10,000 bpd of incremental jet fuel production, while the El Paso project improves specialty gasoline production. These projects are designed to enhance MPC’s ability to produce higher-value products as demand remains strong across gasoline, diesel and jet fuel.

MPC Compares Favorably With PSX and PBFPhillips 66 (PSX - Free Report) also delivered strong refinery operations in the second quarter. PSX reported 96% crude capacity utilization and an 86% clean product yield, highlighting solid operating performance across its refining system.

For MPC, the comparison with Phillips 66 is particularly relevant because both companies are benefiting from strong refining economics and high refinery utilization. Phillips 66 expects worldwide crude utilization to remain in the mid-90% range in the third quarter, reflecting expectations for strong refinery operations. The company also projects $100-$120 million in turnaround expenses and $325-$350 million in Corporate and Other costs.

PBF Energy (PBF - Free Report) has also provided a specific third-quarter throughput outlook. PBF expects total throughput of 900,000-960,000 bpd, with guidance across its East Coast, Mid-Continent, Gulf Coast and West Coast operations.

The comparison shows the scale of MPC’s refining platform. PBF Energy’s throughput target remains substantial, while MPC is targeting more than three times that volume. PBF also expects renewable diesel production to rise to 18,000-20,000 bpd in the third quarter, adding another growth component to its operating outlook.

MPC’s Stock Performance, Valuation and Earnings ProspectsRefining stocks have delivered strong returns over the past six months, with Marathon Petroleum advancing 80.1%. PBF Energy performed slightly better with an 82.3% gain, while Phillips 66 rose 52.1%, compared with a 53.1% increase for the Oil Refining & Marketing sub-industry.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Marathon Petroleum’s P/E multiple of 7.49 is below the sub-industry average of 8.46, suggesting that the stock offers a relatively attractive valuation.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Investor sentiment around MPC’s earnings outlook has strengthened, reflected in 36.95% and 69.74% increases in consensus estimates for 2026 and 2027, respectively, over the past 60 days.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

MPC currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Looking for a stock that has been consistently beating earnings estimates and might be well positioned to keep the streak alive in its next quarterly report? Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) , which belongs to the Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry, could be a great candidate to consider.

This refiner has seen a nice streak of beating earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The average surprise for the last two quarters was 75.64%.

For the last reported quarter, Marathon Petroleum came out with earnings of $17.73 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $14.52 per share, representing a surprise of 22.11%. For the previous quarter, the company was expected to post earnings of $0.72 per share and it actually produced earnings of $1.65 per share, delivering a surprise of 129.17%.

Price and EPS Surprise

Thanks in part to this history, there has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Marathon Petroleum lately. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the stock is positive, which is a great indicator of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Marathon Petroleum currently has an Earnings ESP of +9.76%, which suggests that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This positive Earnings ESP when combined with the stock's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) indicates that another beat is possibly around the corner. We expect the company's next earnings report to be released on November 3, 2026.

When the Earnings ESP comes up negative, investors should note that this will reduce the predictive power of the metric. But, a negative value is not indicative of a stock's earnings miss.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, but that may not be the sole basis for their stocks moving higher. On the other hand, some stocks may hold their ground even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Key Takeaways Marathon Petroleum pairs discounted valuation metrics with a 53.3% long-term expected growth rate.PBF Energy combines discounted PEG and P/E ratios with a 55.2% five-year expected growth rate.Ultrapar & Repsol offer discounted valuations alongside long-term growth rates of 21.4% & 21%, respectively. In the equity market, investors are facing a particularly challenging backdrop as elevated Treasury yields, persistent inflation concerns and uncertainty over the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate path keep volatility elevated. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield recently moved above 5%, while expectations of further rate hikes have added pressure to equity valuations. At the same time, resilient corporate earnings and continued enthusiasm around artificial intelligence have helped stocks weather the rise in borrowing costs.

Against this backdrop, the debate between value and growth investing becomes particularly relevant. Rather than choosing exclusively between discounted stocks and high-growth companies, investors may consider a hybrid approach that seeks reasonable valuations alongside sustainable earnings growth.

This is where the GARP (growth at a reasonable price) strategy comes into play. The investing track of Warren Buffett and the evolution of his approach over the decades also illustrate why combining valuation discipline with quality and growth can be useful across different market environments.

Per the GARP theory, the strategic mingling of growth and value-investing principles gives us a hybrid strategy, offering an ideal investment by utilizing the best features of both. What GARPers look for is whether or not the stocks are somewhat undervalued and have solid, sustainable growth potential (Investopedia).

Several stocks that have surged significantly in recent years have demonstrated the overwhelming success of this hybrid investing strategy over pure-play value and growth investments. Here, we will discuss the success of four such stocks. These are Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) , PBF Energy (PBF - Free Report) , Ultrapar Participacoes (UGP - Free Report) and Repsol, S.A. (REPYY - Free Report) .

A Few More Words on GARPGARP investing gives priority to one of the popular value metrics, the price/earnings growth (PEG) ratio. Although it is categorized under value investing, this strategy follows the principles of both growth and value investing.

The PEG ratio is defined as (Price/ Earnings)/Earnings Growth Rate

It relates the stocks’ P/E ratios to the future earnings growth rates.

While P/E alone gives an idea of stocks that are trading at a discount, PEG, the addition of the growth element to it, helps identify stocks with solid future potential.

A lower PEG ratio, preferably less than 1, is always better for GARP investors.

For example, if a stock's P/E ratio is 10 and the expected long-term growth rate is 15%, the company's PEG will come down to 0.66, a ratio indicating both undervaluation and future growth potential.

Unfortunately, this ratio is often neglected due to investors' limitations in calculating the future earnings growth rate of a stock.

There are some drawbacks to using the PEG ratio, though. It does not consider the very common situation of changing growth rates, such as the forecast of the first three years at a very high growth rate, followed by a sustainable but lower growth rate over the long term.

Hence, PEG-based investing can be even more rewarding if some other relevant parameters are also taken into consideration.

Here are the screening criteria for a winning strategy:

PEG Ratio Less Than X Industry Median

P/E Ratio (using F1) less than X Industry Median (For more accurate valuation purposes)

Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) (Whether good market conditions or bad, stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 have a proven history of success.)

Market Capitalization greater than $1 Billion (This helps us focus on companies that have strong liquidity.)

Average 20-Day Volume greater than 50,000: A substantial trading volume ensures that the stock is easily tradable.

Percentage Change F1 Earnings Estimate Revisions (4 Weeks) greater than 5%: Upward estimate revisions add to the optimism, suggesting further bullishness.

Value Score of less than or equal to B: Our research shows that stocks with a Value Style Score of A or B, when combined with a Zacks Rank #1, 2 or 3 (Hold), offer the best upside potential.

Growth Score of less than or equal to B: Our research shows that stocks with a Growth Style Score of A or B, when combined with a Zacks Rank #1, 2 or 3, offer the best upside potential.

Our PEG-Driven PicksHere are four stocks that qualified the screening:

Marathon Petroleum: The company is a leading U.S. refiner with a large, integrated refining and logistics network, supported by majority ownership of MPLX and its fee-based midstream cash flows. MPC’s scale, advantaged crude access and diversified operations position it to benefit from favorable refining margins, global capacity outages and tight U.S. fuel inventories.

Marathon Petroleum can be an impressive GARP investment pick with its Zacks Rank #1, a Value Score of A and a Growth Score of A. Apart from a discounted PEG and P/E, the stock has an impressive long-term expected growth rate of 53.3%.

PBF Energy: This is a leading U.S. independent refiner operating six refineries across California, Louisiana, New Jersey, Delaware and Ohio, with combined crude-processing capacity of about 1 million barrels per day. PBF’s diversified refining footprint and logistics infrastructure enable it to process varied crude feedstocks and market transportation fuels, heating oil, petrochemical feedstocks, lubricants and other petroleum products.

PBF carries a Zacks Rank #1 at present, along with a Value Score of A and a Growth Score of A. PBF Energy also has an impressive five-year expected growth rate of 55.2%.

Ultrapar Participaçoes: The company operates across Brazil’s energy, mobility and logistics sectors through Ultragaz, Ipiranga, Ultracargo and Hidrovias. UGP’s diversified businesses span fuel distribution, gas, service stations, liquid bulk storage, waterway and multimodal logistics, port operations and renewable energy, serving residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers across Brazil and international markets.

Ultrapar Participaçoes stock can be an impressive GARP investment pick with its Zacks Rank #2, a Value Score of A and a Growth Score of A. Apart from a discounted PEG and P/E, UGP has an impressive long-term historical growth rate of 21.4%.

Repsol: This is a diversified multi-energy company spanning oil and gas exploration and production, refining, fuel marketing, natural gas, electricity generation and low-carbon businesses. Repsol’s portfolio also includes renewable power, hydrogen, sustainable and synthetic fuels, EV charging, chemicals and decarbonization solutions, providing exposure to both conventional energy and the transition toward lower-carbon energy sources.

REPYY can also be an impressive GARP investment pick with its Zacks Rank #2, a Value Score of A and a Growth Score of B. Apart from a discounted PEG and P/E, the stock also has a solid long-term expected growth rate of 21%.

You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Key Takeaways MPC expects refined-product demand growth through 2030 to exceed net refining-capacity additions.Marathon Petroleum ran refineries at 94% utilization, with second-quarter throughput of 2.9 million bpd.MPC's Refining & Marketing adjusted EBITDA hit $6.7 billion as crack spreads rose across all regions. Marathon Petroleum’s (MPC - Free Report) refining outlook is supported by a global market in which refined-product demand is expected to grow faster than net capacity additions. MPC expects global refined-product demand growth through 2030 to exceed net refining-capacity additions, while anticipated refinery closures are expected to nearly offset announced capacity additions. This backdrop supports the company’s constructive long-term view of the refining sector.

Demand conditions also remain supportive. Marathon Petroleum said its second-quarter 2026 performance benefited from resilient consumer demand. Its refineries operated at 94% crude-capacity utilization during the quarter, resulting in total throughput of 2.9 million barrels per day. MPC continues to invest in projects aimed at improving product yields, flexibility and refinery competitiveness.

The favorable refining environment was reflected in the downstream operator’s second-quarter results. Refining & Marketing adjusted EBITDA reached about $6.7 billion, while segment margin was $36.33 per barrel. The company said higher crack spreads across all regions were the primary driver of the improvement. Overall, limited net global refining-capacity growth and resilient product demand remain supportive for MPC, although refining margins will continue to fluctuate with crack spreads, refinery availability and broader market conditions.

The broader refining environment remains favorable as global supply disruptions, low product inventories and steady transportation-fuel demand support crack spreads. Regional market tightness and high refinery utilization are also helping refiners capture stronger economics despite continued volatility.

Tight Refining Markets Support Strong Margin CapturePhillips 66 (PSX - Free Report) : Phillips 66 is well positioned to benefit from the tight refining backdrop as global supply disruptions and low product stocks support stronger cracks. Phillips 66 captured 98% of its market indicator in the second quarter, reflecting improved refinery utilization, yields and cost control. With management expecting the macro environment to remain constructive, Phillips 66 should continue benefiting from disciplined operations and commercial optimization across its integrated system.

HF Sinclair (DINO - Free Report) : HF Sinclair is also benefiting from tight product supply and healthy demand across its key Mid-Continent and West markets. HF Sinclair said 5-7 million barrels per day of refining capacity was offline versus five months earlier, supporting a constructive crack-spread environment. With inventories below five-year averages and refining fundamentals expected to remain supportive through the fall, HF Sinclair appears positioned to capture favorable margins through reliable operations.

The Zacks Rundown on MPCShares of MPC Energy have surged nearly 140% so far this year, ahead of the industry's growth.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Marathon Petroleum currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 2.03 on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 20 brokerage firms. 

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The chart below shows MPC’s earnings over the past four quarters.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

In the latest trading session, Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) closed at $387.71, marking a -1.48% move from the previous day. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.77%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 0.67%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 0.92%.

The refiner's stock has climbed by 6.69% in the past month, exceeding the Oils-Energy sector's gain of 1.13% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.96%.

The upcoming earnings release of Marathon Petroleum will be of great interest to investors. The company's earnings report is expected on November 3, 2026. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $23.15, showcasing a 669.1% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $32.84 billion, indicating a 8.39% decrease compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $59.15 per share and revenue of $154.8 billion, indicating changes of +452.8% and +14.48%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Marathon Petroleum should also be noted by investors. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.

Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 26.78% increase. Marathon Petroleum is holding a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) right now.

Valuation is also important, so investors should note that Marathon Petroleum has a Forward P/E ratio of 6.65 right now. This indicates a discount in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 9.04.

Also, we should mention that MPC has a PEG ratio of 0.12. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. MPC's industry had an average PEG ratio of 0.26 as of yesterday's close.

The Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 9, this industry ranks in the top 4% of all industries, numbering over 250.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.

Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock's recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the "long context," investors will essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.

Even though momentum is a popular stock characteristic, it can be tough to define. Debate surrounding which are the best and worst metrics to focus on is lengthy, but the Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.

Below, we take a look at Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) , which currently has a Momentum Style Score of A. We also discuss some of the main drivers of the Momentum Style Score, like price change and earnings estimate revisions.

It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. Marathon Petroleum currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.

You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>

Set to Beat the Market?Let's discuss some of the components of the Momentum Style Score for MPC that show why this refiner shows promise as a solid momentum pick.

A good momentum benchmark for a stock is to look at its short-term price activity, as this can reflect both current interest and if buyers or sellers currently have the upper hand. It's also helpful to compare a security to its industry; this can show investors the best companies in a particular area.

For MPC, shares are up 7.31% over the past week while the Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry is up 2.38% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 7.54% compares favorably with the industry's 4.83% performance as well.

While any stock can see its price increase, it takes a real winner to consistently beat the market. That is why looking at longer term price metrics -- such as performance over the past three months or year -- can be useful as well. Shares of Marathon Petroleum have increased 46.78% over the past quarter, and have gained 99.02% in the last year. In comparison, the S&P 500 has only moved 4.91% and 17.28%, respectively.

Investors should also pay attention to MPC's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. MPC is currently averaging 3,019,664 shares for the last 20 days.

Earnings OutlookThe Zacks Momentum Style Score encompasses many things, including estimate revisions and a stock's price movement. Investors should note that earnings estimates are also significant to the Zacks Rank, and a nice path here can be promising. We have recently been noticing this with MPC.

Over the past two months, 7 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost MPC's consensus estimate, increasing from $43.19 to $59.15 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 7 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.

Bottom LineTaking into account all of these elements, it should come as no surprise that MPC is a #1 (Strong Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of A. If you've been searching for a fresh pick that's set to rise in the near-term, make sure to keep Marathon Petroleum on your short list.

Bloom Energy (BE - Free Report) ) and Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) ) have been drawing considerable investor attention, ranking among the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com. BE currently sits within the top 10 searches, while MPC ranks within the top 30.

Although their businesses are very different, both energy companies are seeing stronger operating fundamentals and sharply improving earnings outlooks. Reflecting this, BE shares have soared more than 200% year-to-date, with MPC up more than 130%.

Bloom is capitalizing on soaring electricity demand from AI data centers, while Marathon is benefiting from robust refining margins, operational improvements, and expanding midstream operations.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Bloom Energy’s AI-Powered GrowthBloom Energy’s solid-oxide fuel cells provide on-site electricity, making its technology increasingly attractive to data centers that need power faster than utilities can expand the electric grid.

That demand is already showing up in Bloom’s results. Most recently, Q2 revenue surged 165% year over year to a record $1.06 billion, while non-GAAP gross margin expanded to 34.3% from 28.2%. Bloom subsequently raised its 2026 revenue guidance to $3.9-$4.2 billion, implying roughly 100% YoY growth at the midpoint.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The longer-term opportunity is also expanding. Brookfield Asset Management (BAM - Free Report) ) increased its framework for financing Bloom-powered AI infrastructure projects from $5 billion to $25 billion, highlighting rapidly growing demand for behind-the-meter power.

Zacks estimates currently call for Bloom's revenue to rise 104% in FY26 and another 57% in FY27 to $6.51 billion, with EPS projected to climb sharply in both years as shown below.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Marathon’s Refining Momentum BuildsMarathon Petroleum is benefiting from a favorable refining environment, strong execution, and its substantial midstream exposure through MPLX (MPLX - Free Report) ), which operates pipelines, terminals, natural-gas processing facilities, and other energy logistics infrastructure.

MPC generated $8.5 billion of adjusted EBITDA in Q2, up from $3.3 billion a year earlier, as Refining & Marketing adjusted EBITDA reached roughly $6.7 billion. The company also returned more than $2.8 billion to shareholders during the quarter, including about $2.5 billion of share repurchases and $290 million in dividends.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Meanwhile, new investments at Marathon’s El Paso, Texas, and Robinson, Illinois, refineries should improve product yields and flexibility.

Reflecting the stronger refining backdrop, Zacks consensus estimates have moved sharply higher, with MPC's EPS now projected to surge more than 450% YoY to $59.15 from $10.70 per share last year.

Although FY27 EPS is projected to moderate to $55.54, estimates have surged 58% in the last 30 days from $35.01 per share. This comes as MPC’s top-line outlook remains solid, with sales projected to rise about 14.5% to $154.8 billion in FY26 before normalizing to roughly $131.9 billion next year.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

BE & MPC Valuation ComparisonThis is where the comparison becomes much less competitive.

To that point, Bloom's spectacular growth comes with a steep premium as BE trades over 100X forward earnings and 19X forward sales. This is far above the broader Zacks Oils and Energy Sector’s forward P/E and P/S multiple averages of 10X and 1X, respectively.  

MPC, in contrast, offers intriguing discounts to the sector, trading at just 6X forward earnings and less than 1X forward sales.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Bottom LineBoth Bloom Energy and Marathon Petroleum stock currently sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), reflecting their favorable earnings estimate trends.

Still, MPC may have the edge as the better buy at current valuations. Bloom's AI data-center opportunity makes BE an intriguing growth stock, but its elevated forward P/E leaves considerably less room for execution missteps.

MPC, meanwhile, combines stronger refining fundamentals, valuable midstream exposure, substantial capital returns, and a single-digit P/E multiple, providing a more favorable balance of earnings momentum and valuation.

The latest White House proposal to rein in diesel prices and an analyst's recommendation downgrade were the major factors behind Marathon Petroleum's (MPC -3.16%) stock price dip on Tuesday. At the close of that day's trading session, the company's equity was down more than 3%.

Potential export ban Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the Trump administration is mulling a ban on U.S. diesel exports. He added that this would reduce prices for the fuel, commonly used for cargo trucks, which continue to reach all-time high prices. Almost needless to say, many analysts and economists attribute this rise mainly to the impact of the Iran war.

Image source: Getty Images.

Bessent implied this was only a proposal at this stage. He said the Trump team is "examining whether it's feasible in terms of the overall refining capacity and whether a full or partial ban would work."

Compounding that, well before market open, Jefferies' Lloyd Byrne downgraded his rating on Marathon to hold from buy, with a price target of $413 per share. According to reports, the analyst wrote that the current price and valuation are consistent with historical levels, while threats loom on the horizon -- such as a consumer pull-back due to those rising diesel prices.

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

76/100

Today's Change

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Distillates for domestics only? Marathon is a prominent American oil refiner and is highly active in the distillates segment, which includes diesel and jet fuel. What's more, those goods make up the bulk of the company's exports from its Gulf Coast refineries. So even a partial and/or temporary ban would negatively affect its operations.

Given that, I think Byrne's move is the right one; personally, I'd hold this stock at best, and not be a buyer now.

Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Jefferies Financial Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

22.9.2026 16:14, LEN, PSKY

Index Dow Jones -0,12 % na 51984,24 b. S&P 500 +0,07 % na 7769,82 b. Nasdaq Composite +0,4 % na 27229,45 b.

Nejsledovanější americké indexy se v úvodu obchodují smíšeně.

Společnost Paramount Skydance (+6,1 %) uzavřela dohodu, která otevírá cestu ke vzniku mediálního a zpravodajského giganta. Urovnáním žaloby, kterou podala skupina amerických států, byla odstraněna poslední významná překážka převzetí společnosti Warner Bros. Discovery. Dokončení této transakce by vedlo ke vzniku jedné z největších zábavních společností na světě.

Akcie společnosti Lennar (+5,6 %) posilují poté co konglomerát Berkshire Hathaway zveřejnil nákup akcií této společnosti za více než 200 mil. USD. Jde o druhého největšího stavitele domů v USA po jedničce D.R. Horton.

Index S&P 500 +0,07 % na 7769,82 b. Nejsilnější sektory S&P Změna Nejslabší sektory S&P Změna Základní materiály +0,8 % Finanční sektor -0,9 % Komunikační služby +0,8 % Energie -0,9 % Nezbytná spotřeba +0,4 % Utility -0,3 % Nejsilnější akcie S&P Změna Nejslabší akcie S&P Změna Sandisk Corp (SNDK) +7,4 % Valero Energy Corp (VLO) -4,6 % Seagate Technology Holdings (STX) +6,2 % Everpure (P) -4,2 % Paramount Skydance Corp (PSKY) +6,1 % Quest Diagnostics (DGX) -3,9 % Western Digital Corp (WDC) +5,7 % Charles Schwab Corp (SCHW) -3,7 % Lennar Corp (LEN) +5,6 % Marathon Petroleum Corp (MPC) -3,6 % Zdroj: Bloomberg

Jan Prokeš
Fio banka, a.s.
Prohlášení

, /PRNewswire/ -- Marathon Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: MPC) will host a conference call on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 11 a.m. EST to discuss 2026 third-quarter financial results.

Interested parties may listen to the conference call by visiting MPC's website at www.marathonpetroleum.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on MPC's website for one month. Financial information, including the earnings release and other investor-related material, will also be available online prior to the conference call and webcast at www.marathonpetroleum.com.

About Marathon Petroleum Corporation

MPC is a leading, integrated, downstream and midstream energy company headquartered in Findlay, Ohio. The company operates the nation's largest refining system. MPC's marketing system includes branded locations across the United States, including Marathon brand retail outlets. MPC also owns the general partner and majority limited partner interest in MPLX LP, a midstream company that owns and operates gathering, processing, and fractionation assets, as well as crude oil and light product transportation and logistics infrastructure. More information is available at www.marathonpetroleum.com.

Investor Relations Contacts: (419) 421-2071
Brian Worthington, Vice President, Investor Relations
Alyx Teschel, Director, Investor Relations

Media Contact: (419) 421-3577
Jamal Kheiry, Communications Manager

SOURCE Marathon Petroleum Corporation

The Oils-Energy group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Has Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) been one of those stocks this year? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.

Marathon Petroleum is one of 250 individual stocks in the Oils-Energy sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #5 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups is measured, and the sectors are listed from best to worst.

The Zacks Rank emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find stocks with improving earnings outlooks. This system has a long record of success, and these stocks tend to be on track to beat the market over the next one to three months. Marathon Petroleum is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

Over the past 90 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for MPC's full-year earnings has moved 50.6% higher. This signals that analyst sentiment is improving and the stock's earnings outlook is more positive.

According to our latest data, MPC has moved about 143.5% on a year-to-date basis. Meanwhile, the Oils-Energy sector has returned an average of 34.9% on a year-to-date basis. As we can see, Marathon Petroleum is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.

Another stock in the Oils-Energy sector, PBF Energy (PBF - Free Report) , has outperformed the sector so far this year. The stock's year-to-date return is 188.7%.

For PBF Energy, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 132.7% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Breaking things down more, Marathon Petroleum is a member of the Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry, which includes 16 individual companies and currently sits at #22 in the Zacks Industry Rank. On average, this group has gained an average of 129.5% so far this year, meaning that MPC is performing better in terms of year-to-date returns. PBF Energy is also part of the same industry.

Marathon Petroleum and PBF Energy could continue their solid performance, so investors interested in Oils-Energy stocks should continue to pay close attention to these stocks.

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Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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In the latest trading session, Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) closed at $392.42, marking a -1.76% move from the previous day. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.59%. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.6%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.65%.

The refiner's shares have seen an increase of 14.7% over the last month, surpassing the Oils-Energy sector's gain of 9.15% and the S&P 500's loss of 1.37%.

The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Marathon Petroleum in its upcoming release. On that day, Marathon Petroleum is projected to report earnings of $18.99 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 530.9%. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $32.84 billion, showing a 8.39% drop compared to the year-ago quarter.

MPC's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $47.23 per share and revenue of $156.14 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +341.4% and +15.47%, respectively.

It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Marathon Petroleum. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.

Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.

The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 1.22% upward. Marathon Petroleum presently features a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).

In terms of valuation, Marathon Petroleum is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 8.46. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 9.45 of its industry.

It's also important to note that MPC currently trades at a PEG ratio of 0.26. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. As of the close of trade yesterday, the Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry held an average PEG ratio of 0.35.

The Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry is part of the Oils-Energy sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 8, finds itself in the top 4% echelons of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to use Zacks.com to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions.

Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.

Considering these trends, value investing is clearly one of the most preferred ways to find strong stocks in any type of market. Value investors rely on traditional forms of analysis on key valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are undervalued, leaving room for profits.

In addition to the Zacks Rank, investors looking for stocks with specific traits can utilize our Style Scores system. Of course, value investors will be most interested in the system's "Value" category. Stocks with "A" grades for Value and high Zacks Ranks are among the best value stocks available at any given moment.

One company value investors might notice is Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) . MPC is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), as well as a Value grade of A.

Investors should also recognize that MPC has a P/B ratio of 2.45. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. MPC's current P/B looks attractive when compared to its industry's average P/B of 5.36. MPC's P/B has been as high as 2.45 and as low as 1.60, with a median of 2.06, over the past year.

Finally, investors will want to recognize that MPC has a P/CF ratio of 10.51. This metric focuses on a firm's operating cash flow and is often used to find stocks that are undervalued based on the strength of their cash outlook. MPC's P/CF compares to its industry's average P/CF of 11.58. MPC's P/CF has been as high as 10.51 and as low as 5.42, with a median of 7.23, all within the past year.

These are only a few of the key metrics included in Marathon Petroleum's strong Value grade, but they help show that the stock is likely undervalued right now. When factoring in the strength of its earnings outlook, MPC looks like an impressive value stock at the moment.

Momentum investing is all about the idea of following a stock's recent trend, which can be in either direction. In the "long context," investors will essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." And for investors following this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving in that direction. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.

Even though momentum is a popular stock characteristic, it can be tough to define. Debate surrounding which are the best and worst metrics to focus on is lengthy, but the Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.

Below, we take a look at Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) , which currently has a Momentum Style Score of A. We also discuss some of the main drivers of the Momentum Style Score, like price change and earnings estimate revisions.

It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. Marathon Petroleum currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.

You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>

Set to Beat the Market? In order to see if MPC is a promising momentum pick, let's examine some Momentum Style elements to see if this refiner holds up.

A good momentum benchmark for a stock is to look at its short-term price activity, as this can reflect both current interest and if buyers or sellers currently have the upper hand. It is also useful to compare a security to its industry, as this can help investors pinpoint the top companies in a particular area.

For MPC, shares are up 5.44% over the past week while the Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry is up 2.89% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 18.24% compares favorably with the industry's 9.73% performance as well.

While any stock can see a spike in price, it takes a real winner to consistently outperform the market. Shares of Marathon Petroleum have increased 58.81% over the past quarter, and have gained 117.15% in the last year. In comparison, the S&P 500 has only moved 4.72% and 20.24%, respectively.

Investors should also pay attention to MPC's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. MPC is currently averaging 2,283,755 shares for the last 20 days.

Earnings OutlookThe Zacks Momentum Style Score also takes into account trends in estimate revisions, in addition to price changes. Please note that estimate revision trends remain at the core of Zacks Rank as well. A nice path here can help show promise, and we have recently been seeing that with MPC.

Over the past two months, 5 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost MPC's consensus estimate, increasing from $32.96 to $47.23 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 4 estimates have moved upwards while there have been 1 downward revision in the same time period.

Bottom LineGiven these factors, it shouldn't be surprising that MPC is a #1 (Strong Buy) stock and boasts a Momentum Score of A. If you're looking for a fresh pick that's set to soar in the near-term, make sure to keep Marathon Petroleum on your short list.

Key Takeaways This is a golden age of refining with record high crack spreads. Marathon Petroleum's earnings are expected to soar 341% this year.Shares of MPC are at new highs but it is still cheap with a forward P/E of just 8.2. Marathon Petroleum Corp. (MPC - Free Report) is in a golden age of refining. This Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) is expected to grow earnings 341% year-over-year as crack spreads hit record highs.

Marathon Petroleum (“MPC”) is an integrated downstream and midstream energy company. Headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, it operates 13 refineries, the largest refining system in the United States. MPC has a crude oil refining capacity of about 3 million barrels per calendar day.

Marathon Petroleum’s marketing system includes gas station locations across the United States, including Marathon and ARCO retail outlets.

MPC also owns the general partner and majority limited partner interest in MPLX LP, a midstream company that owns and operates gathering, processing, and fractionation assets, as well as crude oil and light product transportation and logistics infrastructure.

High Crack Spreads Drove Marathon’s Second Quarter 2026 ResultsOn Aug 4, 2026, Marathon Petroleum reported its second quarter 2026 results and beat the Zacks Consensus on earnings by 22%. It was the third earnings beat in a row.

The Refining & Marketing margin was $36.33 per barrel for the second quarter of 2026, up from $17.58 in the prior year’s quarter.

Crude capacity utilization was 94%. The stellar results were driven by higher crack spreads in all regions.

Analysts Can’t Keep Up as MPC’s Earnings Continue to RiseThe crack spreads continue to move higher which means so will MPC’s earnings.

One estimate for 2026 was raised in just the last week pushing the Zacks Consensus up to $47.23 from $46.66.

However, the Most Accurate Estimate, which is the most recent one, was raised to $53.69.

How dramatic is the earnings increase this year?

Marathon Petroleum only made $10.70 in 2025. That’s earnings growth of 341.4% at the Zacks Consensus of $47.23 and it’s even higher if the Most Accurate Estimate of $53.69 holds up.

Here’s what it looks like on the price and consensus chart.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Higher Margins Means More CashMPC is awash in cash. This is the golden age for refiners.

As of June 30, 2026, the company had $7.8 billion in cash and cash equivalents, including $1 billion of cash at MPLX.

It’s giving back a lot of it to shareholders. In the second quarter of 2026, Marathon returned $2.8 billion to shareholders in share repurchases and a dividend. As of June 30, 2026, it had $6.1 billion remaining on the share repurchase authorization.

It’s dividend is $4.00 per share annually, which is yielding 1%.

Shares of Marathon Petroleum Soar in 2026Not surprisingly, the refiners have been the place to park your money in 2026. Shares of Marathon Petroleum are up 125% year-to-date to new highs.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Yet Marathon is still cheap on a price-to-earnings (P/E) basis because the “E,” or earnings, keeps going up even as the stock price does.

MPC has a PEG ratio of 0.25. A PEG under 1.0 indicates a company has both growth and value.

In addition to being a Strong Buy stock, Marathon also has the top Zacks Style Scores of A for Value, A for Momentum, and A for Growth.

Only 7 companies in the entire Zacks screening universe of over 4400 stocks currently meet these criteria of having both the top Zacks Rank and the top Style Scores.

Buying a refining stock is a short-term trade. No one knows what is going to happen to the crack spreads in 2027. 

But for investors looking for a way to cash in on high diesel and gasoline prices today, Marathon Petroleum should be on your short list.

Key Takeaways Buying the best Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) momentum stocks now and throughout September.Buy and hold oil refiner MPC stock now for value, growth, and long-term upside. The stock market cooled off a bit to start the Labor Day-shortened trading week, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq trading slightly lower through early afternoon trading. The mundane start to the week came after Wall Street bulls jumped back in at some key technical levels following slightly dovish comments from Fed Governor Christopher Waller last Thursday.

The Fed and the possibility of a mid-September rate hike, along with rising bond yields and the U.S.-Iran conflict (and therefore the Strait of Hormuz), remain by far the most important macro-level factors Wall Street is watching. Further ahead, the upcoming midterm elections might create even more volatility.

All that said, the bulls could certainly press their advantage and push both the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 to new all-time highs sooner rather than later, if everything breaks right.

Therefore, investors likely want to keep buying stocks in September and throughout the final stretch of 2026. Today, we highlight how investors can find surging, top-ranked stocks thriving in the current market conditions.

The momentum stocks this screen puts on your radar have also seen strong upward earnings revisions, earning them a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) right now. Let’s dive into how investors can find the best "Strong Buy" momentum stocks to buy now in September and beyond. 

Screen Basics: Finding the Best Momentum Stocks to BuyThe screen we are looking into today comes loaded with the Research Wizard. The screen helps investors dig through all of the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks, of which there are over 200 at any given time, to find some of the top momentum names.

The screen narrows down the list of Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocksto those with upward price momentum that are also trading within 20% of their 52-week highs. The screen then uses the PEG ratio and the Price to Sales ratio to help make sure investors are getting value as well. The screen then makes your life a little easier and narrows it down to just seven stock picks.

The screen basics are listed below…

·         Zacks Rank = #1 (Strong Buy)

·         Current Price/52-week High >= 0.8

·         PEG Ratio: P/E F(1)/EPS Growth <= 1

·         Price/Sales <= 3

·         Percentage Change Price -12 Weeks = Top # 7

This strategy comes loaded with the Research Wizard and it is called bt_sow_momentum_method1 It can be found in the SoW (Screen of the Week) folder.

The screen is simple, yet powerful. Here is one of the seven stocks that made it through this week's screen…

Best "Strong Buy" Stocks for September: Buy Oil Stock MPC and Hold ForeverMarathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC - Free Report)  runs the largest oil refining business in the U.S. MPC turns crude into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other products at its 13 refineries, boasting about 3 million barrels per day of capacity.

On top of that, the oil company sells fuel at the retail level through Marathon and ARCO stations. Furthermore, MPC owns the general partner and majority limited partner interest in MPLX LP,  which moves oil, gas, and other petroleum products through pipelines and terminals.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Marathon Petroleum shares have skyrocketed 145% YTD as “crack spreads,” or the differences between wholesale petroleum product prices and crude oil prices, soar. Global crude disruptions—especially around the Middle East and Strait of Hormuz—plus heavy worldwide refinery downtime lifted product prices far more than crude costs. MPC’s R&M margin surged 106% YoY in Q2 to $36.33 per barrel, “driven primarily by higher crack spreads in all regions.”

MPC’s outlook is booming as it rides the current bullish trends driving its refining and marketing industry, which sits in the top 3% of ~250 Zacks industries. This is critical since studies have shown that roughly half of a stock's price movement can be attributed to a stock's industry group. In fact, the top 50% of Zacks Ranked Industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Marathon Petroleum’s earnings revisions have surged since its Q2 release in early August as the macro conditions surrounding its industry lead to soaring profits. MPC’s FY26 estimate surged 43% since its Q2 release, with its FY27 estimate 46% higher. Its upbeat EPS outlook helps MPC land its Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). 

The oil refining powerhouse is projected to expand its earnings by 340% in 2026 to climb to $47.23 per share vs. $10.70 last year. And its growth is likely to come in even stronger, considering that its most accurate EPS estimate for 2026 came in 26% above the current consensus and 64% higher for 2027.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

MPC stock has soared ~2,800% over the last 15 years to crush the S&P 500’s ~630% and its highly ranked Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry’s ~470%. Despite trading at all time highs, the oil and gas stock trades in-line with its 15-year median, ~80% below its highs, and slightly below its industry at 9.6X forward 12-month earnings.

Long-term investors should consider buying Marathon Petroleum stock for value, growth, dividends, and more. It is also worth stressing that even tech-focused investors should remember that oil and gas remains a critical driving force of the economy, and the best-in-class stocks in the space are key to creating a successfully diversified portfolio. 

Get the rest of the stocks on this list and start looking for the newest companies that fit these criteria. It's easy to do. And it could help you find your next big winner. Start screening for these companies today with a free trial to the Research Wizard. You can do it.

Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today.

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Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.

Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks’ portfolios and strategies are available at: www.zacks.com/performance_disclosure

Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.

Over the past month, shares of this refiner have returned +30.4%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.1% change. During this period, the Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry, which Marathon Petroleum falls in, has gained 17.8%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.

Earnings Estimate RevisionsHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.

For the current quarter, Marathon Petroleum is expected to post earnings of $18.99 per share, indicating a change of +530.9% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +1.5% over the last 30 days.

The consensus earnings estimate of $47.23 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +341.4%. This estimate has changed +2.5% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $37.55 indicates a change of -20.5% from what Marathon Petroleum is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +8.4%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) for Marathon Petroleum.

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Revenue Growth ForecastWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.

For Marathon Petroleum, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $32.84 billion indicates a year-over-year change of -8.4%. For the current and next fiscal years, $156.14 billion and $131.46 billion estimates indicate +15.5% and -15.8% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryMarathon Petroleum reported revenues of $52.34 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +53.5%. EPS of $17.73 for the same period compares with $3.96 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $34.83 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +50.26%. The EPS surprise was +22.11%.

Over the last four quarters, Marathon Petroleum surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.

ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.

While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.

The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

Marathon Petroleum is graded A on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Marathon Petroleum. However, its Zacks Rank #1 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.

Key Takeaways VLO, PBF and MPC have more than doubled YTD as tight fuel markets continue to support refining margins.Low inventories, refinery outages and healthy transportation-fuel demand are keeping product markets tight.Refining conditions may stay favorable as damaged capacity and low inventories take time to recover. Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing stocks have been among the strongest performers in 2026, helped by a favorable environment for refiners. Conflicts in the Middle East and Russia have disrupted refinery operations and reduced the supply of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel globally. At the same time, demand for transportation fuels has remained healthy. This combination of limited supply and steady demand has strengthened refining margins. Despite the sharp year-to-date rally, the downstream industry backdrop remains supportive, as rebuilding fuel inventories and restoring damaged refining capacity could take considerable time.

Against this backdrop, Valero Energy (VLO - Free Report) , PBF Energy (PBF - Free Report) and Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) stand out. All three stocks have more than doubled year to date, but favorable conditions across the refining and marketing space suggest that their strong run may still have further room to continue.

YTD Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Why the Downstream Space Remains AttractiveLess Refining Capacity is Keeping Fuel Supply Tight:Conflicts in the Middle East and Russia have forced several refineries to reduce or halt operations. Global planned and unexpected refining outages have risen well above normal levels, while some facilities have suffered physical damage that could take considerable time to repair. With fewer refineries available to turn crude oil into gasoline, diesel and other fuels, product supplies are likely to remain tight. This should continue to support the broader downstream and refining and marketing space. 

Fuel Inventories are Low While Demand Remains Healthy:Global supplies of gasoline, diesel and other refined products in storage have fallen considerably and remain well below normal levels. At the same time, demand for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel continues to hold up well in both U.S. and international markets. This combination of low inventories and healthy demand is keeping fuel markets tight. As a result, refiners should continue to benefit from favorable product prices and supportive refining and marketing margins. 

Favorable Conditions Could Last Beyond the Current Disruptions:The strength in the downstream industry may not disappear quickly even if geopolitical tensions ease. Fuel inventories are expected to take considerable time to return to normal, while damaged refining infrastructure could keep global capacity constrained. Industry expectations also point to a stronger-than-usual refining environment extending into 2027, supported by tight supply-demand conditions and the rising cost of adding or operating refining capacity. Greater availability of Canadian and Venezuelan crude could provide an additional advantage for U.S. refiners.  

The Rally May Not Be Over YetDespite having jumped more than 100% so far this year, Marathon Petroleum, Valero and PBF continue to carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or #2 (Buy). With fuel supplies tight, inventories low and demand holding up well, the refining and marketing space still has a favorable outlook. These conditions suggest that the three stocks could remain attractive choices even after their substantial gains. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Valero Energy: Valero Energy is a major downstream energy company focused on refining, renewable diesel and ethanol. Its refining network has about 2.5 million barrels per day of crude capacity, with a large presence on the U.S. Gulf Coast. Valero also operates 12 ethanol plants and participates in renewable diesel through Diamond Green Diesel, giving it a broader fuels portfolio.

Valero’s flexible refineries can process different crude types and are supported by logistics and marketing operations. This should help the #1 Ranked company gain from low fuel inventories, limited excess refining capacity and steady transportation-fuel demand. Access to U.S., Canadian and Venezuelan crude provides an advantage in the current market.

Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Valero Energy’s 2026 earnings has moved up 31.1% and indicates 283.6% growth from the year-ago reported number.

PBF Energy:PBF Energy has refining operations across the East Coast, Mid-Continent, Gulf Coast and West Coast. Its system includes facilities such as Torrance, Martinez, Chalmette, Paulsboro and Toledo, supported by logistics operations. PBF also has exposure to renewable diesel through its St. Bernard Renewables joint venture.

This regional footprint allows PBF to serve several fuel markets and respond to changing supply conditions. The Zacks #1 Ranked company should benefit from tight gasoline, diesel and jet-fuel inventories, reduced global refining capacity and healthy demand. Management is also working to improve refinery reliability, energy efficiency and costs, which could help it capture more value from strong refining margins.

PBF Energy’s expected EPS growth rate for three to five years is currently 56%, which compares favorably with the industry's growth rate of 31%. Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 earnings has gone up 67.8%.

Marathon Petroleum: Marathon Petroleum is a U.S. downstream energy company with a large refining and marketing system spread across the Gulf Coast, Mid-Continent and West Coast. Its operations are supported by extensive crude pipelines and logistics, while midstream unit MPLX adds a sizeable business. Marathon Petroleum also has renewable diesel operations, giving it exposure beyond traditional fuels.

The company is well-positioned in today’s tight refining market because its system can process advantaged crude and adjust production toward higher-value fuels. Low gasoline and diesel inventories, strong demand and reduced global refining capacity should support margins. Its scale, flexibility and integrated network also help MPC capture opportunities across different regions.

Marathon Petroleum beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in three of the last four quarters and missed in the other, with the average being 49.3%. Over the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s 2026 earnings has gone up 41.6%. MPC carries a Zacks Rank of 2.