Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: MPC) experienced a notable increase in its stock price on Tuesday following the announcement of its fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings results, which revealed strong profitability despite stable revenue compared to the prior year.
The company reported total revenues of $33.42 billion in the quarter, slightly less than the $33.47 billion reported during the corresponding period a year ago. Despite the marginal decrease, this figure surpassed the consensus analyst estimate of $31.981 billion, indicating solid sales performance relative to market expectations.
Significant growth was observed in adjusted earnings per share (EPS), which climbed to $4.07 compared to just 77 cents in the same quarter last year. This increase also substantially exceeded the analyst projection of $2.90 per share, highlighting improved profitability margins and operational efficiency.
Net income attributable to Marathon Petroleum amounted to $1.54 billion, or $5.12 per share, marking a substantial rise from the $371 million, or $1.15 per share, reported during the fourth quarter of the previous year. The company’s adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) reached $3.49 billion, representing a robust increase compared to $2.12 billion recorded in the year-ago period.
During the quarter, Marathon Petroleum returned approximately $1.3 billion to shareholders through share repurchases. The company retains $4.4 billion available under existing share repurchase authorizations as of the end of the fiscal year, offering flexibility for future capital return initiatives.
As of December 31, 2025, the company held $3.7 billion in cash and cash equivalents, which includes $2.1 billion at MPLX LP (NYSE: MPLX), its midstream subsidiary. This liquidity position underpins operational stability and funding capacity for ongoing investments.
Segment Performance
The Refining & Marketing (R&M) segment operated at a high crude capacity utilization rate of 95 percent, processing throughput volumes approximating 3.0 million barrels per day. Segment adjusted EBITDA, which excludes planned turnaround costs amounting to $410 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to $281 million in the same period the prior year, totaled $2.0 billion. This is a significant improvement from $559 million for the comparable quarter a year earlier.
R&M margins rose markedly to $18.65 per barrel from $12.93 per barrel a year prior, reflecting a 44 percent increase in refining margins. This uplift followed a rebound from multi-year lows in 2024 that were impacted by supply disruptions related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as reported by multiple sources. However, refining operating costs increased to $5.70 per barrel from $5.26 per barrel compared to the prior-year quarter, reflecting higher input expenses.
The Midstream segment's adjusted EBITDA reached $1.7 billion, remaining flat year over year. This stability occurred despite increased operating expenses and the divestiture of non-core gathering and processing assets which offset gains from higher throughput volumes, rate increases, and recent acquisitions.
Renewable Diesel operations experienced a decline in adjusted EBITDA to $7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, down from $28 million the previous year. Although the business benefited from higher utilization rates reaching 94 percent, lower margin conditions persisted, affecting overall profitability for the segment.
Management Insights and Dividend Update
President and CEO Maryann Mannen commented on the company’s capital deployment strategy, emphasizing its role in enhancing Marathon Petroleum’s competitive positioning across operating regions. She noted that MPLX continues to invest in natural gas and NGL growth initiatives, with expanding distributions that differentiate Marathon from its peers and reinforce its commitment to industry-leading capital returns.
The Marathon Petroleum board declared a quarterly dividend of $1.00 per share on January 31, payable on March 10, 2026, to shareholders of record as of February 18, 2026. This dividend underscores ongoing shareholder value distribution amidst strong financial results.
Outlook for 2026
Looking ahead to the first quarter of 2026, the company anticipates total refinery throughput of 2.74 million barrels per day. This comprises 2.54 million barrels of crude oil and 200,000 barrels of other charge and blendstocks. Projected refining operating costs are estimated at $5.85 per barrel, accounting for planned turnaround expenses of $465 million. The company expects distribution costs to reach $1.625 billion and depreciation and amortization expenses of $385 million.
For the full fiscal year 2026, Marathon Petroleum projects capital expenditures totaling $1.5 billion, with the vast majority—approximately $1.41 billion—allocated to the Refining and Marketing segment. These planned investments aim to support operational efficiency and growth across core business areas.
Market Reaction
Following the earnings announcement, Marathon Petroleum’s stock price saw a 4.00 percent gain, trading at $183.99 during premarket sessions on Tuesday. This movement reflects investor approval of the company’s financial performance and prospects.
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