Marathon Petroleum Surges to Top Trading Volume with $541 Million Turnover

On May 12, 2025, Marathon Petroleum (MPC) saw a significant surge in trading volume, with a turnover of $541 million, marking a 128.67% increase from the previous day. The stock price rose by 4.80%, extending its winning streak to eight consecutive days, with a cumulative gain of 15.09% over the past week.

Barclays has raised its price target for Marathon Petroleum to $159 from $141, while maintaining an Overweight rating. The analyst noted that despite current economic challenges, the demand for refining companies like Marathon Petroleum remains robust. Additionally, crack spreads, a key profitability measure in the refining sector, are showing signs of recovery, further supporting the positive outlook for MPC.

Marathon Petroleum reported a net loss of $0.24 per share for the first quarter, reflecting financial challenges during the period. The company returned over $1.3 billion to shareholders through dividends and repurchases. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was approximately $2 billion, a sequential decrease of $145 million. Refining utilization stood at 89%, processing 2.6 million barrels of crude per day. The R&M segment adjusted EBITDA was $1.91 per barrel for the quarter, while the midstream segment saw an 8% year-over-year increase in adjusted EBITDA. Distributions from MPLX, a subsidiary, amounted to $619 million, a 12.5% increase year-over-year. However, the renewable diesel segment faced challenges, operating at only 70% utilization due to unplanned downtime. Operating cash flow for the quarter was $1 billion, with a $1.1 billion use of cash primarily due to inventory builds. Capital expenditures and investments totaled $795 million, and MPC issued $2 billion in senior notes. The consolidated cash position at the end of the quarter was $3.8 billion. Projected throughput volumes for the second quarter are 2.8 million barrels per day, with an estimated turnaround expense of approximately $265 million.

Marathon Petroleum achieved a refining utilization rate of 89% despite completing significant planned turnaround activities, indicating strong operational management. The company reported a 104% capture rate, showcasing strong commercial performance even in a period of low refining margins. MPLX, a subsidiary of MPC, announced over $1 billion in strategic acquisitions, enhancing its midstream natural gas and NGL growth strategies. MPC is progressing with a $1.25 billion standalone capital plan for 2025, focusing on high-return projects that improve market volatility capitalization.