Marathon Petroleum Co. (NYSE:MPC) Shares Sold by Sterling Capital Management LLC

Sterling Capital Management LLC cut its holdings in shares of Marathon Petroleum Co. (NYSE:MPC - Free Report) by 91.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,831 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 18,670 shares during the period. Sterling Capital Management LLC's holdings in Marathon Petroleum were worth $255,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its holdings in Marathon Petroleum by 78.1% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 9,961,503 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $1,389,630,000 after acquiring an additional 4,367,774 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 7.0% in the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 4,803,951 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $670,151,000 after acquiring an additional 315,786 shares in the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 22.3% in the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 3,552,655 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $495,595,000 after acquiring an additional 647,045 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners raised its position in shares of Marathon Petroleum by 37.4% during the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,436,704 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $480,501,000 after acquiring an additional 935,042 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in Marathon Petroleum by 2.7% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,400,826 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $474,415,000 after purchasing an additional 88,901 shares during the last quarter. 76.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Marathon Petroleum Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MPC opened at $127.55 on Monday. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $140.81 and its 200 day moving average price is $147.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.23 and a quick ratio of 0.76. The stock has a market cap of $39.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.85, a PEG ratio of 3.11 and a beta of 1.04. Marathon Petroleum Co. has a 12 month low of $115.10 and a 12 month high of $201.36.

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The oil and gas company reported $0.77 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.06 by $0.71. The business had revenue of $33.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $31.94 billion. Marathon Petroleum had a return on equity of 12.07% and a net margin of 2.45%. The company's revenue was down 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.98 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Marathon Petroleum Co. will post 8.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Marathon Petroleum Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 19th were paid a $0.91 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 19th. This represents a $3.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.85%. Marathon Petroleum's dividend payout ratio is currently 36.66%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Ricky D. Hessling purchased 2,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were bought at an average price of $134.72 per share, with a total value of $269,440.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now owns 12,162 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,638,464.64. This represents a 19.68 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Evan Bayh acquired 1,000 shares of Marathon Petroleum stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 5th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $133.70 per share, with a total value of $133,700.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 69,305 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,266,078.50. This represents a 1.46 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 0.25% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on MPC shares. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $185.00 to $175.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 11th. Barclays lowered their target price on Marathon Petroleum from $161.00 to $141.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 14th. Raymond James cut their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $193.00 to $183.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Tudor Pickering upgraded Marathon Petroleum from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $160.00 to $156.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Marathon Petroleum currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $175.79.

Marathon Petroleum Profile

Marathon Petroleum Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated downstream energy company primarily in the United States. The company operates through Refining & Marketing, and Midstream segments. The Refining & Marketing segment refines crude oil and other feedstocks at its refineries in the Gulf Coast, Mid-Continent, and West Coast regions of the United States; and purchases refined products and ethanol for resale and distributes refined products, including renewable diesel, through transportation, storage, distribution, and marketing services.

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