What's driving MUSA's EPS decline in 2024?

Murphy USA's EPS declined from $24.11 in 2023 to $6.92 in 2024, primarily due to several factors:

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Diluted EPS YoY|Diluted EPS|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|MUSA|MUSA.N|Murphy USA|2024 Q1|-35|3.12|169|
|MUSA|MUSA.N|Murphy USA|2024 Q2|14.950166112956817|6.92|169|
|MUSA|MUSA.N|Murphy USA|2024 Q3|-6.371911573472044|7.2|169|
|MUSA|MUSA.N|Murphy USA|2024 Q4|-0.571428571428572|6.96|169|

1. **Fuel Margins and Petroleum Product Sales**: The company's EPS was negatively impacted by lower fuel margins and weak petroleum product sales, particularly in the first quarter. This reflects a broader industry challenge where retailers face fluctuating fuel prices and margin pressures.
2. **Operating Expenses**: Although the data on operating expenses is not available, any increase in expenses can dilute profitability and thus affect EPS. For instance, if operating expenses were to rise without a corresponding increase in revenue, it could lead to a decrease in net income and, consequently, EPS.

In summary, Murphy USA's EPS decline in 2024 is primarily driven by lower fuel margins, weak petroleum product sales, and potentially increasing operating expenses.