Secure Asset Management LLC Makes New Investment in Marathon Petroleum Co. (NYSE:MPC)

Secure Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Marathon Petroleum Co. (NYSE:MPC - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 2,405 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $335,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Gladius Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of Marathon Petroleum in the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Marathon Petroleum by 88.9% during the 3rd quarter. MeadowBrook Investment Advisors LLC now owns 170 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC raised its position in Marathon Petroleum by 672.7% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 170 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 148 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Marathon Petroleum during the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Marathon Petroleum during the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 76.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Marathon Petroleum

In other news, Director Jeffrey C. Campbell bought 6,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 4th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $149.61 per share, with a total value of $897,660.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,090 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $911,124.90. This represents a 6,666.67 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.21% of the company's stock.

Marathon Petroleum Trading Down 1.9 %

Marathon Petroleum stock traded down $2.88 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $151.43. 4,318,848 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,236,087. The firm has a market capitalization of $48.67 billion, a PE ratio of 12.00, a PEG ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $147.18 and its 200 day simple moving average is $158.58. Marathon Petroleum Co. has a twelve month low of $130.54 and a twelve month high of $221.11.

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 5th. The oil and gas company reported $1.87 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.97 by $0.90. The business had revenue of $35.37 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.34 billion. Marathon Petroleum had a return on equity of 16.19% and a net margin of 3.15%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 14.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $8.14 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that Marathon Petroleum Co. will post 8.88 earnings per share for the current year.

Marathon Petroleum declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase program on Tuesday, November 5th that permits the company to buyback $5.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the oil and gas company to purchase up to 10% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically a sign that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Marathon Petroleum Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 20th were issued a $0.91 dividend. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.40%. This is a boost from Marathon Petroleum's previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 20th. Marathon Petroleum's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.84%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Mizuho lowered their price target on Marathon Petroleum from $175.00 to $174.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 16th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $200.00 to $190.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Marathon Petroleum from $172.00 to $171.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 9th. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $172.00 to $167.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. Finally, Scotiabank reduced their price target on shares of Marathon Petroleum from $191.00 to $170.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $181.20.

About Marathon Petroleum

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.