Bull case
MPC would need investors to value it at roughly 22x earnings — about 14x more generous than today's 8x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Three scenarios for where MPC stock could go
MPC would need investors to value it at roughly 22x earnings — about 14x more generous than today's 8x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 17x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
The bear case assumes sentiment or fundamentals disappoint enough to push MPC down roughly 30% from the current price.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

Marathon Petroleum is an integrated downstream energy company that refines crude oil into transportation fuels and other petroleum products. It makes money primarily through its Refining & Marketing segment — which converts crude oil into gasoline, diesel, and other fuels — and its Midstream segment that transports and stores crude and refined products. The company's competitive advantage lies in its large-scale, strategically located refinery network and integrated logistics system that provides operational efficiency and market access.
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $3.96/$3.24 | +22.2% | $33.8B/$33.3B | +1.4% |
| Q4 2025 | $3.01/$3.15 | -4.4% | $34.8B/$33.5B | +4.1% |
| Q1 2026 | $4.07/$2.72 | +49.6% | $33.4B/$31.1B | +7.5% |
| Q2 2026 | $1.65/$0.74 | +123.3% | $34.6B/$33.4B | +3.4% |
MPC beat EPS estimates in 3 of 4 tracked quarters. A strong delivery record supports forward estimate credibility.
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
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Latest annual revenue by reported region
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Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $315 — implies +29.8% from today's price.
| Metric | MPC | S&P 500 | Energy | 5Y Avg MPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 8.2x | 18.8x-56% | 12.5x-34% | — |
| Trailing PE | 18.3x | 24.4x-25% | 15.5x+18% | 12.1x+52% |
| PEG Ratio | — | 1.66x | 0.52x | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 11.3x | 15.2x-26% | 7.8x+44% | 6.9x+64% |
| Price/FCF | 14.9x | 20.7x-28% | 13.8x | 8.3x+79% |
| Price/Sales | 0.5x | 3.1x-83% | 1.4x-62% | 0.4x+48% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.54% | 1.91% | 3.47% | 2.51% |
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolMPC returns 6.5% of market cap to shareholders annually.
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
~5.4 years to full repayment at current FCF run-rate
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. ROIC uses invested capital (equity + net debt).
Open full ratios pageKey factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated June 17, 2026
Prolonged margin compression due to weaker demand or oversupply could significantly impact profitability.
Potential operational disruptions may lead to production halts or inefficiencies, affecting revenue.
Adverse regulatory changes, such as biofuel mandate adjustments, could pose challenges to business operations.
Analyst low valuation (~$170.63) suggests downside risk if bearish scenarios materialize.
Energy sector volatility may influence Marathon Petroleum's performance and investor sentiment.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated June 17, 2026
Marathon Petroleum benefits from tighter global fuel markets due to disruptions like the Strait of Hormuz closure, which has lifted refining margins.
The company is seeing increased refining margins as a result of global supply disruptions, enhancing profitability.
Marathon Petroleum's midstream segment is contributing to earnings growth, adding diversification and stability to its revenue streams.
The company's emphasis on capital returns is attracting investor attention, particularly in volatile market conditions.
With trailing and forward P/E ratios of 16.99 and 7.43 respectively, Marathon Petroleum appears undervalued compared to its earnings potential.
Recent bullish analyses highlight Marathon Petroleum's potential, driven by strong fundamentals and favorable market conditions.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MPC MPC Marathon Petroleum Corporation | $70.9B | 8.2x | +3.9% | 3.4% | Buy | +6.8% |
VLO VLO Valero Energy Corporation | $70.7B | 8.4x | +4.1% | 3.3% | Buy | +3.5% |
PSX PSX Phillips 66 | $66.6B | 9.4x | +1.5% | 3.0% | Buy | +9.0% |
PBF PBF PBF Energy Inc. | $4.4B | 5.3x | +13.1% | -0.5% | Hold | +16.0% |
DK DK Delek US Holdings, Inc. | $2.5B | 8.0x | +2.8% | -0.5% | Hold | +13.3% |
MPL MPLX MPLX Lp | $57.7B | 13.2x | +8.8% | 37.5% | Buy | +6.0% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
MPC returns capital mainly through $3.5B/year in buybacks (4.9% buyback yield), with a modest 1.54% dividend — combining for 6.5% total shareholder yield.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $2.00 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | $3.73 | +10.2% | 7.0% | 9.3% |
| 2024 | $3.38 | +10.1% | 19.3% | 21.7% |
| 2023 | $3.08 | +23.5% | 19.1% | 21.1% |
| 2022 | $2.49 | +7.3% | 19.9% | 22.0% |
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) is rated Buy by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 33 analysts covering the stock, 25 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 8 rate it Hold, and 0 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $259, implying +6.8% from the current price of $243. The bear case scenario is $317 and the bull case is $663.
The Wall Street consensus price target for MPC is $259 based on 33 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $344 (+41.6% from today), and the low-end target is $174 (-28.4%). The base case model target is $503.
MPC trades at 8.2x times forward earnings. The stock currently trades at a discount to the broader market. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals cheap versus peers. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
The primary risks for MPC in 2026 are: (1) Margin Compression — Prolonged margin compression due to weaker demand or oversupply could significantly impact profitability. (2) Operational Disruptions — Potential operational disruptions may lead to production halts or inefficiencies, affecting revenue. (3) Regulatory Shifts — Adverse regulatory changes, such as biofuel mandate adjustments, could pose challenges to business operations. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates MPC will report consensus revenue of $141.0B (+3.9% year-over-year) and EPS of $25.45 (+62.1% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $143.4B in revenue.
Marathon Petroleum Corporation is expected to report its next earnings on approximately 2026-08-04. Consensus expects EPS of $11.59 and revenue of $41.7B. Over recent quarters, MPC has beaten EPS estimates 92% of the time.
Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) generated $5.7B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 4.2%. MPC returns capital to shareholders through dividends (1.5% yield) and share repurchases ($3.5B TTM).