Marathon Petroleum Option Alert: Sep 19 $145 Puts at the Ask: 1610 vs 106 OI

Marathon Petroleum Option Alert: Sep 19 $145 Puts at the Ask: 1610 @ $5.1 vs 106 OI; Ref=$163.33

Marathon Petroleum Option Alert: Sep 19 $145 Puts Sweep (40) near the Ask: 1386 vs 106 OI

Marathon Petroleum Option Alert: Sep 19 $145 Puts Sweep (40) near the Ask: 1386 @ $5.0 vs 106 OI; Ref=$163.62

Marathon Petroleum Option Alert: Sep 19 $165 Calls Sweep (6) near the Bid: 499 vs 119 OI

Marathon Petroleum Option Alert: Sep 19 $165 Calls Sweep (6) near the Bid: 499 @ $10.701 vs 119 OI; Ref=$162.23

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:MPC) Stock

Marathon Petroleum

Marathon Petroleum is an independent refiner with 13 refineries in the midcontinent, West Coast, and Gulf Coast of the United States with total throughput capacity of 3.0 million barrels per day. Its Dickinson, North Dakota, facility produces 184 million gallons a year of renewable diesel. Its Martinez, California, facility has the ability to produce 730 million gallons a year of renewable diesel. The firm also owns and operates midstream assets primarily through its listed master limited partnership, MPLX.

Marathon Petroleum Corporation Common Stock

Marathon Petroleum Corp

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Shares of energy related stocks are trading higher after President Trump said the U.S won't agree to any uranium enrichment by Iran. Additionally, the commodity could be seeing continued strength after OPEC+ decision to keep output levels unchanged.

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 1.15% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 11.93%. Currently, Marathon Petroleum has a market capitalization of $48.85 billion. 
Buying $100 In MPC: If an investor had bought $100 of MPC stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $307.21 today based on a price of $159.01 for MPC at the time of writing.
<h3>Marathon Petroleum's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1748462419_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

News

Trading Ideas

$100 Invested In Marathon Petroleum 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Years after the initial surge in travel demand following the COVID-19 crisis, fundamental realities have weighed down Marathon Petroleum Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>). In the past 52 weeks, MPC stock is down around 8%, reflecting the myriad financial challenges that consumers face today. Still, it's possible that most of the bad news has already been baked into the share price. If so, this framework may open a speculative opportunity for options traders.
Broadly speaking, President Donald Trump's tariffs present a <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/25/05/45327340/3-best-energy-stocks-to-buy-right-now">nuanced picture</a> for the energy market. On one hand, the costs of oil and gas production, refining and transport are rising while prices are simultaneously lagging. Such a condition is particularly troublesome for Marathon Petroleum, which specializes in the midstream and downstream segments of the hydrocarbon value chain.
At the same time, the Trump administration appears to be <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45345994/us-china-tariff-truce-will-alleviate-worst-fears-but-prevent-falling-yields-keeping-economy-under-pressure-says-craig-shapiro">making progress regarding its economic policies</a>. After aggressive posturing, the U.S. and China reached a tariff truce — a temporary measure that has served to alleviate market fears. Granted, circumstances have not fully normalized but the point remains that the White House is keenly aware of the consequences of its actions. Thus, an incentive exists to right the ship.
Combined with Trump's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/commodities/25/04/44903411/trumps-2025-energy-policy-a-resurgence-of-fossil-fuel">unabashed support of the fossil-fuel industry</a> — which includes the dismantling of Biden-era efforts to boost electric vehicle sales — Marathon may have the tools to engineer a comeback.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">MPC Stock At A Potential Inflection Point</h2>
Since peaking in early April last year, MPC stock has struggled for traction. From early May to late March of this year, MPC's price action has trended along a downward slope. However, the most recent trades have broken above this declining resistance barrier. Quite possibly, MPC has reached an inflection point.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="594" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20145823/MPC-stock-technical-analysis-1024x594.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-921826" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20145823/MPC-stock-technical-analysis-1024x594.jpg 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20145823/MPC-stock-technical-analysis-300x174.jpg 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20145823/MPC-stock-technical-analysis-768x445.jpg 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20145823/MPC-stock-technical-analysis.jpg 1031w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image by TradingView</figcaption></figure>
That's a subjective interpretation of market sentiment. An objective observation is that in the past 10 weeks, MPC stock printed a "7-3-U" sequence: seven up weeks (demand accumulation), three down weeks (demand distribution), with a net positive trajectory across the period.
Over the trailing decade, this market breadth sequence has materialized 65 times. In those cases, the following week saw positive price action 66.15% of the time, with a median return of 3.05%. In the near term, it's possible that MPC stock could shoot above the $167 mark. Over the next few weeks, the $170 level would be the next natural target.
What makes this setup attractive for options traders is that, as a baseline, MPC stock inherently offers a bullish advantage. Using price data from January 2019, the chance that a long position in MPC stock will be profitable for any given week is 57.06%. Subsequently, market makers price options to reflect this probabilistic reality.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20145804/MPC-stock-10wk-forecast-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-921825" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20145804/MPC-stock-10wk-forecast-1024x576.jpg 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20145804/MPC-stock-10wk-forecast-300x169.jpg 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20145804/MPC-stock-10wk-forecast-768x432.jpg 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/20145804/MPC-stock-10wk-forecast.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image by author</figcaption></figure>
However, the beauty of the 7-3-U sequence is that the probability following this sequence is 66.15%. Therefore, the options trader is theoretically receiving nine percentage points of favorable odds for free, incentivizing a debit-based strategy.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Extracting A Big Payout Via Call Spreads</h2>
For aggressive traders intrigued with the numbers game of MPC stock, the 162.50/165 bull call spread expiring May 30 is awfully tempting. This transaction involves buying the $162.50 call and simultaneously selling the $165 call, for a net debit paid of $125. Should MPC rise through the short strike price at expiration, the maximum reward is also $125, a payout of 100%.
As stated earlier, the 7-3-U sequence generally sees upside materialize in the following week over 66% of the time, with a median return of 3.05%. By mathematical deduction, the projected price should be more than enough to trigger the $165 target on May 30.
Effectively, the aforementioned call spread is favorably mispriced. The big payout partially comes from the fact that while MPC natively enjoys an upward bias, it has struggled for form in the past year. However, market breadth data suggests that the odds are much more conducive to speculation than Wall Street realizes.
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Photo: Shutterstock

Equities

Long Ideas

Options

Options Corner: Marathon Petroleum's Quiet Comeback Could Unleash A 100% Payout

Marathon Petroleum shares are trading higher after multiple firms raised their respective price targets on the stock.

Wells Fargo analyst Roger Read maintains Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $175 to $180.

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

Wells Fargo Maintains Overweight on Marathon Petroleum, Raises Price Target to $180

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 21.47% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 36.23%. Currently, Marathon Petroleum has a market capitalization of $49.54 billion. 
Buying $100 In MPC: If an investor had bought $100 of MPC stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $532.18 today based on a price of $161.25 for MPC at the time of writing.
<h3>Marathon Petroleum's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1747146612_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

If You Invested $100 In This Stock 5 Years Ago, You Would Have This Much Today

Mizuho analyst Nitin Kumar maintains Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $168 to $184.

Mizuho Maintains Neutral on Marathon Petroleum, Raises Price Target to $184

Activist investor Elliott Investment Management scored a victory on Monday when Institutional Shareholder Services recommended investors elect all four of Elliott&#8217;s director nominees to the Phillips 66 (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSX#NYSE">PSX</a>) board, bolstering the hedge fund&#8217;s campaign for strategic changes at the oil refiner.
What Happened: Elliott, which <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/02/43614105/activist-investor-elliott-builds-25-billion-stake-in-phillips-66-pressures-for-midstream-spinoff-report">holds a $2.5 billion stake in Phillips 66</a>, has urged the company to divest its midstream business. Proxy advisory firm ISS backed all four of Elliott's board nominees, joining Glass Lewis and Egan-Jones in supporting the activist's push ahead of the May 21 shareholder vote, Reuters reported.
ISS is a top proxy advisory firm whose recommendations guide major investors on corporate votes, often swaying outcomes in boardroom battles.
&#8220;Although the board has been reshaped since the pandemic, important industry perspectives have been overlooked, and there is strong evidence that the board is not willing to exercise independent oversight of management,&#8221; ISS wrote in its report.
The proxy advisor also challenged Phillips 66&#8217;s argument that its integrated strategy delivers superior returns, noting the stock began underperforming peers in mid-2021 and &#8220;has not been able to close the gap.&#8221; PSX shares have dropped 18% over the past 52 weeks, closing at $118.68 on Monday.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/05/45366281/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-retreat-stocks-rally-after-us-china-tariff-de-escalation-analyst-sees-opportunity-in-2100-2250-if-eth-corrects">Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin Retreat, Stocks Rally After US-China Tariff De-Escalation: Analyst Sees Opportunity In $2,100-2,250 If ETH Corrects</a>
Why It Matters: Elliott first disclosed its investment in Phillips 66 in February, expanding from an initial $1 billion position that had already secured a board seat for refining veteran Robert Pease last year. The activist fund&#8217;s larger stake now places it among Phillips 66&#8217;s top five shareholders.
The hedge fund, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40411028/elliott-management-alums-spawn-their-offshoots-amid-rigid-changes-and-increased-bureaucracy-at-70b-h">which manages $70 billion</a>, has a strong track record in the energy sector with successful investments at Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>), NRG Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NRG#NYSE">NRG</a>), Suncor Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SU#NYSE">SU</a>) and Hess (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/HES#NYSE">HES</a>).
Elliott said the ISS report &#8220;fully validates Elliott&#8217;s case for change,&#8221; according to the report. 
Photo Courtesy: Ken Wolter on Shutterstock.com
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Disclaimer:&nbsp;This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Markets

Elliott Management Scores Key Win In Phillips 66 Proxy Fight As ISS Backs All Four Board Nominees Ahead Of May 21 Vote

Barclays analyst Theresa Chen maintains Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $141 to $159.

Barclays Maintains Overweight on Marathon Petroleum, Raises Price Target to $159

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Shares of energy stocks are trading higher amid a rise in the price of oil after the US and China agreed to a temporary reduction in most tariffs. The commodity may be experiencing strength amid escalating conflict between Pakistan and India.

Energy stocks are holding up amid the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/25/05/45317301/5-treasury-yields-could-force-trump-to-slash-tariffs-in-q2-says-bofas-hartnett">trade chaos</a>, with the benchmark S&amp;P 500 Energy Index down -4.65% year to date but up 5.63% over the past month. Comparably, the S&amp;P 500 index stands at -3.70% year to date in what&#8217;s been a rough year for most stocks.
Still, energy stock valuations remain low, and the Trump administration has treated the oil and gas sectors favorably in its first 100 days &#8211; both of which are good news for sector stocks.
That&#8217;s not to say there aren&#8217;t worrisome issues for the energy sector.&nbsp;
The YChart energy index shows prices are down to 87.87 compared to 95.06 in April and 109.59 a year ago. OPEC and other major oil producers are expected to boost production again starting in June. In a recent research note, Goldman Sachs analyst Callum Bryce said its oil price forecast &#8220;remains to the downside,&#8221; citing recession risks and lower production capacity. While the tariff wars haven&#8217;t hurt the energy sector as severely as others, the costs of oil and gas production, refining, and transport are rising at a time when prices are lagging.
In its most recent<a href="https://boereport.com/2025/05/05/letter-to-stockholders-issued-by-diamondback-energy-inc-2/"> Letter to Stockholders</a>, outgoing Diamondback CEO Travis D. Stice said the oil industry is facing lower demand and higher supply, has lowered oil prices and increased volatility, &#8220;with massive industry changes on the horizon.&#8221;
&#8220;Over the past decade, the cost of supply for the average barrel of oil produced in the United States has increased. The shale revolution has evolved from proof of concept to manufacturing mode and is now in a more mature stage of development, providing (free cash flow generation and return of capital),&#8221; Stice stated. 
&#8220;Today, geologic headwinds outweigh the tailwinds provided by improvements in technology and operational efficiency,&#8221; he added. &#8220;On an inflation-adjusted basis, there have only been two quarters since 2004 where front-month oil prices have been as cheap as they are today (excluding 2020, which was impacted by the global pandemic). Therefore, we believe we are at a tipping point for U.S. oil production at current commodity prices.&#8221;
Still, there are promising signs. Energy stocks still trade at low valuations, and the Trump administration has treated the industry favorably.
&#8220;Energy is an industry that never sleeps,&#8221; said Adam Ferrari, CEO at Phoenix Energy. &#8220;Right now, the sector is in a state of strategic recalibration as a response to broader headwinds like inflation, trade imbalances, and geopolitical instability influencing cost structures.&#8221;
Additionally, political measures like President Trump&#8217;s executive orders surrounding energy security bolster fossil fuel development more broadly. &#8220;Still, companies need to include uncertainties in their plans for capital deployment and resource allocation in the future.&#8221;
Technology advancements are also working in the energy sector&#8217;s favor.
&#8220;The energy industry is undergoing significant changes due to multiple factors, including the rise of artificial intelligence and the massive building of infrastructure and the power requirements needed for data centers to operate which has the tech, and utilities sectors scrambling to meet the need,&#8221; said Chris Cook, Senior Equity Trader and Research Analyst at Frost Investment Advisors.
Those advancements should boost some energy suppliers more than others.
&#8220;These new opportunities are still in the beginning stages, and we expect more will develop as AI technology continues to evolve, making this a long-term investment theme over the next ten years or more,&#8221; Cook said. &#8220;Based on the advantages of access, availability, and reliability, we expect to see natural gas generation as an ideal fuel and power source to help close the demand gap, especially within Texas.&#8221;
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Three Energy Stocks To Play In A Roiling Market</h1>
With enough moving parts to equip a Permian Basin oil rig, some high-value and high-dividend-paying energy stocks are worth looking at now. These three names could boost a dormant 2025 investment portfolio.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Marathon Petroleum</h2>
Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>) is on the move, with its share price up 22% over the past month alone. In its most recent quarterly report, the company announced revenues of $31.85 billion, well ahead of analyst expectations of $1.7 billion. Analysts are essentially backing MPC, with Scotiabank issuing a buy rating on MPC while Bank of America is keeping a hold on the stock. MPC also offers a healthy 2.67% dividend yield, with the company reporting it would hold a 0.91% quarterly dividend, which should satisfy income-minded shareholders.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Schlumberger Ltd.</h2>
Schlumberger Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SLB#NYSE">SLB</a>), a Houston-based energy technology company, has seen its shares fall by 10% year-to-date, but there&#8217;s a lot to like about the stock. Eight of nine analysts surveyed by Benzinga are either &#8220;bullish&#8221; or &#8220;somewhat bullish&#8221; on the stock, with a consensus target price of $50.4 per share. In a recent statement, SLB said it would boost shareholder returns to $4 billion in 2025. SLB stock currently clocks in with a robust 3.31% dividend yield.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kinder Morgan</h2>
Natural gas has been an energy industry stalwart, which is a big reason why the sector generated an 11.08% annualized return over three years and a 31.58% annualized return over the five years ending March 31, 2025, according to a recent<a href="https://www.usbank.com/investing/financial-perspectives/market-news/energy-sector-performance.html"> US Bank research note</a>.
&#8220;Rising natural gas prices are the biggest driver of energy sector performance,&#8221; says Rob Haworth, senior investment strategy director with U.S. Bank Asset Management Group. &#8220;Natural gas companies comprise about 30% of the sector&#8217;s S&amp;P 500 index. In early 2025, natural gas prices are significantly higher than they were at the end of 2024. &#8220;Demand for liquid natural gas (LNG), particularly from European markets, plays a role in price increases,&#8221; says Haworth, noting that European countries are replacing supplies produced in Russia before Russia invaded Ukraine.
Kinder Morgan (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KMI#NYSE">KMI</a>) fits the bill as a solid natural gas play. The energy company controls 40% of the natural gas transported in the U.S., and it stores and ships about 15% of all US natural gas. The stock is holding steady in 2025 and has returned 43% over the past year. Toss in a hefty 4.30% dividend, and KMI stands out as a stable force in an increasingly unstable energy economy.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Other Energy Plays To Consider</h1>
Market mavens are also looking at a handful of other energy stocks worth special attention.
&#8220;On the natural gas front, Cheniere Energy (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LNG#NYSE">LNG</a>) remains a standout given its role in U.S. LNG exports and strong global demand,&#8221; said Fabio Ruggeri, founder &amp; CEO of MenthorQ, an AI-powered investment trading platform. &#8220;EOG Resources (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EOG#NYSE">EOG</a>) is a top-tier shale operator with disciplined capital management, while Pioneer Natural Resources (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PXD#NYSE">PXD</a>) offers solid Permian exposure and attractive shareholder return policies.&#8221;
Ruggeri likes the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) for a broader play. 
&#8220;The fund gives diversified exposure to large-cap energy names that could benefit from a cyclical rotation back into value and commodities,&#8221; he noted. &#8220;With geopolitical instability and policy tailwinds, fossil fuel stocks remain a tactical overweight for many macro investors.&#8221;
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Free Earnings Gap Training Closing Soon</h2>
Final hours to <a href="https://events2.benzinga.com/erx-gaps-workshop-may-2025-registration/?utm_campaign=ERxMay&amp;el=ResearchDaily&amp;he={{email}}&amp;adt_ei={{email}}&amp;utm_adType=SponsorAd&amp;utm_ad=RD0510">register for this masterclass</a> on trading earnings gaps during market pullbacks. Learn the exact system behind winners on CELH and TTD. Join now before it's gone.
Editorial content from our Expert contributors is intended to be information for the general public and not individualized investment advice. Editors/contributors are presenting their individual opinions and strategies, which are neither expressly nor impliedly approved or endorsed by Benzinga.
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Opinion

3 Best Energy Stocks To Buy Right Now

Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>) shares are trading higher after the company <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/05/n45216324/marathon-petroleum-corp-reports-first-quarter-2025-results" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported&nbsp;first-quarter results</a>.
Total revenues and other income of&nbsp;$31.85 billion&nbsp;topped the consensus of&nbsp;$29.58 billion. Adjusted EPS loss stood at $(0.24),&nbsp;down from&nbsp;$2.58 a year earlier, beating the analyst <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/earnings" rel="noreferrer noopener">consensus estimate of $(0.53)</a>.
Adjusted EBITDA was&nbsp;$2.0 billion&nbsp;for the quarter, compared with&nbsp;$3.3 billion in the prior year quarter.
Refining operating costs per barrel were&nbsp;$5.74&nbsp;versus&nbsp;$6.06 a year ago.&nbsp;
Refining &amp; Marketing refined product sales volume for the quarter was 3,446 mbpd&nbsp;(vs. 3,242 mbpd a year ago); Crude oil capacity utilization was&nbsp;89% (vs.&nbsp;82%&nbsp;a year ago quarter).&nbsp;&nbsp;
Refining&nbsp;&amp; Marketing segment adjusted EBITDA declined to&nbsp;$489 million from&nbsp;$1.99 billion a year ago due to lower market crack spreads.
Refining &amp; Marketing margin was&nbsp;$13.38&nbsp;per barrel for the&nbsp;first quarter&nbsp;versus&nbsp;$19.35&nbsp;per barrel for the first quarter of 2024.
Marathon Petroleum owns the general partner and majority limited partner interest in&nbsp;MPLX LP (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPLX#NYSE">MPLX</a>), which reported&nbsp;first-quarter earnings per limited partner unit of&nbsp;$1.10, missing the consensus of&nbsp;$1.12.
Total revenues and other income&nbsp;of&nbsp;$3.12 billion missed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/02/n43457519/mplx-lp-progresses-gulf-coast-ngl-strategy-and-reports-full-year-2024-results" rel="noreferrer noopener">the consensus of&nbsp;$3.14 billion</a>.&nbsp;
As of March&nbsp;31, 2025, Marathon Petroleum had&nbsp;$3.8&nbsp;billion&nbsp;of&nbsp;cash, cash equivalents,&nbsp;and&nbsp;short-term investments, including&nbsp;$2.5 billion of cash at MPLX and&nbsp;$5 billion&nbsp;available&nbsp;on&nbsp;its bank revolving credit facility.
Buyback: In the&nbsp;first quarter, the company returned around&nbsp;$1.3 billion&nbsp;to shareholders, including&nbsp;$1.1 billion&nbsp;in share repurchases.
As of&nbsp;March&nbsp;31, 2025, the company had&nbsp;$6.7 billion available under its share buyback authorizations.
Dividend: On&nbsp;April 30, the company declared a quarterly dividend of&nbsp;$0.91&nbsp;per share, payable&nbsp;on June 10, to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/25/04/n45115532/marathon-petroleum-corp-announces-quarterly-dividend" rel="noreferrer noopener">shareholders&nbsp;of record on&nbsp;May 21</a>.
President and Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;Maryann Mannen said, "Our Midstream business delivered an 8% increase in segment adjusted EBITDA over the prior year, and executed on our Natural Gas and NGL growth strategies."
"For our refining business, we are positioned to meet summer demand as seasonal trends are expected to improve margins and we remain constructive on its long-term outlook."
Outlook: For the&nbsp;second quarter, the company sees&nbsp;refining operating costs per barrel of&nbsp;$5.30 and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/calendars/guidance" rel="noreferrer noopener">refinery throughputs of 2,945 mbpd</a>.&nbsp;
Investors can gain exposure to the stock via&nbsp;iShares U.S. Oil &amp; Gas Exploration &amp; Production ETF (BATS:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IEO#BATS">IEO</a>) and&nbsp;VanEck Oil Refiners ETF&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRAK#NYSE">CRAK</a>).
Price Action: MPC shares are up&nbsp;0.47%&nbsp;at&nbsp;$144.01 premarket at the last check on Tuesday.
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Earnings

Large Cap

Guidance

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MPLX

Marathon Petroleum Refining Margins Fall Drags Q1 Profit

Wall Street edged lower by midday Tuesday as uncertainty surrounding trade policies lingered, with investors adopting a cautious approach ahead of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/federal-reserve">Wednesday&#8217;s Federal Reserve meeting.</a>
In a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, President Donald Trump suggested the U.S. may soon begin renegotiating the USMCA. He noted that China is eager to negotiate due to its struggling economy, driven by a lack of U.S. trade, but emphasized the talks would take place &#8220;at the right time.&#8221;
Trump kept his trade stance unclear, suggesting that while some agreements may be signed, there is no obligation to finalize any, and dismissed repeated questions about the number of deals in progress.
The S&amp;P 500 dipped 30 points, or 0.6%, to 5,610, on track for its second consecutive negative session after nine straight gains. The Nasdaq 100 dropped 0.8%, while the Russell 2000 slipped 1%.
Ten of the 11 S&amp;P 500 sectors were in the red, with utilities as the only sector in the green. The U.S. dollar fell, extending its losses for a third straight session.
Commodities saw a broad rally, with oil prices surging 3.6%, pushing WTI above $59, following <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/05/45224883/oil-soars-above-59-as-middle-east-airstrikes-jolt-markets">Israeli airstrikes in Yemen</a>. Gold also rallied, climbing 2.4% to above $3,400 per ounce amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) reversed Monday's gains, slipping 0.4% to $94,375.
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday&#8217;s Performance In Major U.S. Indices, ETFs</h1>
<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"> 
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Major Indices</td>
<td>Price</td>
<td>1-day % chg</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>S&amp;P 500</td>
<td>5,614.65</td>
<td>-0.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dow Jones</td>
<td>40,905.06</td>
<td>-0.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nasdaq 100</td>
<td>19,796.10</td>
<td>-0.9%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Russell 2000</td>
<td>1,983.93</td>
<td colspan="2">-1.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated by 12:55 p.m. ET</figcaption></figure>
According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/pro/?utm_source=BZprocontent&amp;t=be2bearmibe3na1">Benzinga Pro</a>&nbsp;data:
<ul>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF Trust (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SPY#NYSE">SPY</a>) fell 0.7% to $559.24.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIA#NYSE">DIA</a>) eased 0.8% to $409.01.</li>
<li>The tech-heavy&nbsp;Invesco QQQ Trust Series&nbsp;(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/QQQ#NASDAQ">QQQ</a>)&nbsp;fell 0.9% to $481.23.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IWM#NYSE">IWM</a>) tumbled 1.1% to $196.68.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;Utilities&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLU#NYSE">XLU</a>) outperformed, up 1.2%; the&nbsp;Health Care&nbsp;Select Sector SPDR Fund&nbsp;(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLV#NYSE">XLV</a>) lagged, down 2.4%.</li>
</ul>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday&#8217;s Stock Movers</h1>
Stocks reacting to earnings reports included: 
<ul>
<li>Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/F#NYSE">F</a>) up 2.70%</li>
<li>The Clorox Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLX#NYSE">CLX</a>) down 2.31%</li>
<li>Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CTRA#NYSE">CTRA</a>) down 9.95%</li>
<li>Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VRTX#NASDAQ">VRTX</a>) down 13.9%</li>
<li>Diamondback Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FANG#NASDAQ">FANG</a>) down 0.53%</li>
<li>Realty Income Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/O#NYSE">O</a>) down 0.68%</li>
<li>The Williams Companies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WMB#NYSE">WMB</a>) down 5.19%</li>
<li>Celanese Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CE#NYSE">CE</a>) up 9.14%</li>
<li>Fabrinet (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FN#NYSE">FN</a>) down 7.37%</li>
<li>Lattice Semiconductor Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LSCC#NASDAQ">LSCC</a>) down 13.6%</li>
<li>Mattel Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAT#NASDAQ">MAT</a>) up 3.61%</li>
<li>Palantir Technologies Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NYSE">PLTR</a>) down 13.6%</li>
<li>Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DUK#NYSE">DUK</a>) up 2.24%</li>
<li>Constellation Energy Corporation (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CEG#NASDAQ">CEG</a>) up 10.94%</li>
<li>TransDigm Group Incorporated (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TDG#NYSE">TDG</a>) down 5.67%</li>
<li>Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAR#NASDAQ">MAR</a>) up 1.26%</li>
<li>Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZTS#NYSE">ZTS</a>) down 3.32%</li>
<li>American Electric Power Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AEP#NASDAQ">AEP</a>) up 0.52%</li>
<li>Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>) up 0.37%</li>
<li>Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FIS#NYSE">FIS</a>) down 2.88%</li>
<li>WEC Energy Group, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WEC#NYSE">WEC</a>) up 0.77%</li>
<li>Gartner, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IT#NYSE">IT</a>) up 1.14%</li>
<li>IQVIA Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IQV#NYSE">IQV</a>) down 1.32%</li>
<li>Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADM#NYSE">ADM</a>) up 2.02%</li>
<li>Waters Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WAT#NYSE">WAT</a>) down 4.43%</li>
<li>Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LDOS#NYSE">LDOS</a>) up 4.11%</li>
<li>Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GPN#NYSE">GPN</a>) down 1.43%</li>
<li>GlobalFoundries Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GFS#NASDAQ">GFS</a>) down 3.57%</li>
<li>Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EXPD#NYSE">EXPD</a>) down 3.67%</li>
<li>Ball Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BALL#NYSE">BALL</a>) up 0.55%</li>
<li>Jacobs Solutions Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/J#NYSE">J</a>) down 5.56%</li>
</ul>
Stocks slated to report earnings after the close include: Assurant Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AIZ#NYSE">AIZ</a>), Arista Networks Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ANET#NYSE">ANET</a>), Gen Digital Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GEN#NASDAQ">GEN</a>), Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>), International Flavors &amp; Fragrances Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IFF#NYSE">IFF</a>), Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/EA#NASDAQ">EA</a>), Mosaic Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MOS#NYSE">MOS</a>), Corpay Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CPAY#NYSE">CPAY</a>), Wynn Resorts Ltd. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WYNN#NASDAQ">WYNN</a>), Jack Henry &amp; Associates Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/JKHY#NASDAQ">JKHY</a>), Devon Energy Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DVN#NYSE">DVN</a>), Super Micro Computer Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>), Coty Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/COTY#NYSE">COTY</a>) and Rivian Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIVN#NASDAQ">RIVN</a>).
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Stocks Fall On Trade Concerns, Oil And Gold Rally: What's Driving Markets Tuesday?

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 20.58% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 34.41%. Currently, Marathon Petroleum has a market capitalization of $44.74 billion. 
Buying $1000 In MPC: If an investor had bought $1000 of MPC stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $4,342.42 today based on a price of $143.61 for MPC at the time of writing.
<h3>Marathon Petroleum's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1746541811_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Here's How Much You Would Have Made Owning Marathon Petroleum Stock In The Last 5 Years

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>) reported quarterly losses of $(0.24) per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $(0.53) by 54.72 percent. This is a 108.63 percent decrease over earnings of $2.78 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $31.85 billion which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $29.58 billion by 7.66 percent. This is a 4.10 percent decrease over sales of $33.21 billion the same period last year.

Earnings Beats

Marathon Petroleum Q1 EPS $(0.24) Beats $(0.53) Estimate, Sales $31.85B Beat $29.58B Estimate

ACLS

AHCO

ALAB

ALGS

ALGT

AMTM

ANDE

ANGI

ARDT

ARMK

ARQT

ARRY

ATKR

ATOM

ATRO

AUDC

AVNS

AVNT

AVNW

AZEK

BBNX

BCAB

BLDP

BRLT

BWIN

BWMN

CCCS

CCLD

CDRE

CELH

CGAU

CGBD

CHMI

CIFR

CIGI

CLDT

CLOV

CPIX

CPNG

CRCT

CRIS

CRMD

CRSR

CRUS

CURI

CVGI

CXDO

CYTK

DASH

DAWN

DDOG

DOCN

DRCT

DRVN

DVAX

ENLT

EOSE

Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De Aeronautica

ESPR

EVGO

Earnings Scheduled For May 6, 2025

Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>) is preparing to release its quarterly earnings on Tuesday, 2025-05-06. Here's a brief overview of what investors should keep in mind before the announcement.
Analysts expect Marathon Petroleum to report an earnings per share (EPS) of $-0.54.
The market awaits Marathon Petroleum's announcement, with hopes high for news of surpassing estimates and providing upbeat guidance for the next quarter.
It's important for new investors to understand that guidance can be a significant driver of stock prices.
<h3>Earnings History Snapshot</h3>
In the previous earnings release, the company beat EPS by $0.75, leading to a 0.25% increase in the share price the following trading session.
Here's a look at Marathon Petroleum's past performance and the resulting price change:

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Quarter</th>
<th>Q4 2024</th>
<th>Q3 2024</th>
<th>Q2 2024</th>
<th>Q1 2024</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>EPS Estimate</td>
<td>0.02</td>
<td>0.98</td>
<td>4.89</td>
<td>2.42</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EPS Actual</td>
<td>0.77</td>
<td>1.87</td>
<td>4.12</td>
<td>2.78</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Price Change %</td>
<td>0.0%</td>
<td>4.0%</td>
<td>-1.0%</td>
<td>-2.0%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2025/1746453740_0.png" alt="eps graph" />
<h3>Stock Performance</h3>
Shares of Marathon Petroleum were trading at $141.55 as of May 02. Over the last 52-week period, shares are down 21.31%. Given that these returns are generally negative, long-term shareholders are likely bearish going into this earnings release. 
<h3>Analyst Observations about Marathon Petroleum</h3>
For investors, grasping market sentiments and expectations in the industry is vital. This analysis explores the latest insights regarding Marathon Petroleum.
Marathon Petroleum has received a total of 9 ratings from analysts, with the consensus rating as Outperform. With an average one-year price target of $165.67, the consensus suggests a potential 17.04% upside.
<h3>Comparing Ratings with Competitors</h3>
The analysis below examines the analyst ratings and average 1-year price targets of Phillips 66, Valero Energy and Sunoco, three significant industry players, providing valuable insights into their relative performance expectations and market positioning.
<ul>
<li>Analysts currently favor an Neutral trajectory for Phillips 66, with an average 1-year price target of $132.0, suggesting a potential 6.75% downside.</li>
<li>Analysts currently favor an Outperform trajectory for Valero Energy, with an average 1-year price target of $143.43, suggesting a potential 1.33% upside.</li>
<li>Analysts currently favor an Outperform trajectory for Sunoco, with an average 1-year price target of $64.25, suggesting a potential 54.61% downside.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Insights: Peer Analysis</h3>
The peer analysis summary outlines pivotal metrics for Phillips 66, Valero Energy and Sunoco, demonstrating their respective standings within the industry and offering valuable insights into their market positions and comparative performance.

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Company</th>
<th>Consensus</th>
<th>Revenue Growth</th>
<th>Gross Profit</th>
<th>Return on Equity</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Marathon Petroleum</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>-8.60%</td>
<td>$1.75B</td>
<td>2.02%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Phillips 66</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>-15.03%</td>
<td>$1.98B</td>
<td>1.77%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Valero Energy</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>-4.73%</td>
<td>$496M</td>
<td>-2.48%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sunoco</td>
<td>Outperform</td>
<td>-6.59%</td>
<td>$473M</td>
<td>2.50%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Key Takeaway:
Marathon Petroleum ranks first in revenue growth among its peers. It also leads in gross profit margin. However, it ranks second in return on equity.
<h3>About Marathon Petroleum</h3>
Marathon Petroleum is an independent refiner with 13 refineries in the midcontinent, West Coast, and Gulf Coast of the United States with total throughput capacity of 3.0 million barrels per day. Its Dickinson, North Dakota, facility produces 184 million gallons a year of renewable diesel. Its Martinez, California, facility has the ability to produce 730 million gallons a year of renewable diesel. The firm also owns and operates midstream assets primarily through its listed master limited partnership, MPLX.
<h3>Marathon Petroleum: A Financial Overview</h3>
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization is above the industry average, indicating that it is relatively larger in size compared to peers. This may suggest a higher level of investor confidence and market recognition.
Decline in Revenue: Over the 3 months period, Marathon Petroleum faced challenges, resulting in a decline of approximately -8.6% in revenue growth as of 31 December, 2024. This signifies a reduction in the company's top-line earnings. When compared to others in the Energy sector, the company faces challenges, achieving a growth rate lower than the average among peers.
Net Margin: Marathon Petroleum's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 1.12%. This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health.
Return on Equity (ROE): The company's ROE is a standout performer, exceeding industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 2.02%, the company showcases effective utilization of equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): Marathon Petroleum's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROA, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROA of 0.47%, the company showcases efficient use of assets and strong financial health.
Debt Management: Marathon Petroleum's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 1.62.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/MPC/earnings">To track all earnings releases for Marathon Petroleum visit their earnings calendar on our site.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Exploring Marathon Petroleum's Earnings Expectations

Editor's note: This article has been updated for accuracy regarding Marathon Petroleum's year-to-date performance.
Editor&#8217;s Note: Today, we&#8217;re hearing from Tom Gentile, one of America&#8217;s most successful pattern traders, with 30 years of trading and teaching experience under his belt. You may recognize him from Money Morning, CNBC, or the numerous options books he has authored. Most importantly, Tom has spent the last two decades building some of the most sophisticated pattern-tracking software in the markets, with the help of actual rocket scientists from NASA and Raytheon. Below, he reveals three &#8220;tariff-proof&#8221; stocks his system has identified. 
The tariff threats might be paused for now—but the uncertainty isn't going anywhere. It's not a matter of if they flare back up, it's when.
Sure, we&#8217;ve seen a few rallies since the tariffs were first announced in early April, and the DOW tanked by 4,000 points. But let's be honest: those rallies were more like dead cat bounces. The underlying issues—higher tariffs on Chinese imports and retaliation overseas—haven't gone anywhere. And they're still weighing heavy on the markets.
The simple truth? The tariff war isn't over. Not even close. And it's created an environment where what used to be &#8220;safe&#8221; plays just aren't so safe anymore.
Here's the good news: There's still a path to profits—even in the choppiest markets—if you know where to look.
So, I've been busy running my scans, checking my seasonal patterns and analyzing the stocks and sectors that actually benefit from tariffs. That's right: some companies are positioned to thrive in this environment.
And today, I want to show you the top three stocks I consider to be &#8220;tariff-proof&#8221; and why they&#8217;re primed to soar this spring.
Let&#8217;s dig in.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">U.S. Steel</h2>
U.S. Steel (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/X#NYSE">X</a>) is still one of the clearest beneficiaries when it comes to tariff dynamics.
Why? Because X is heavily invested in domestic production and because foreign competitors face higher barriers, they've gained serious pricing power. And with tariffs once again dominating the headlines, U.S. Steel is right back in the spotlight.
Now, has the stock seen its share of volatility this year? Absolutely.
Shares pulled back sharply in early April, along with the broader market selloff. But even with the turbulence, X has stabilized faster than many other industrial names—and it&#8217;s showing signs of strength as infrastructure spending ramps up.
So, as long as the tariff battle continues—and as long as domestic steel demand stays firm—U.S. Steel is positioned to outperform. It's one of the few companies that stands to benefit as Washington puts more pressure on imports.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Marathon Petroleum</h2>
Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>) remains one of the quiet winners as trade tensions reshape the energy market. Domestic refining stands to gain when tariffs hit Canadian oil—and Marathon is built to thrive on U.S. supply.
With a massive nationwide network and deep investment in American energy, MPC is positioned right where the demand shift is heading.
And they&#8217;ve proven they can capitalize.
While Marathon has faced some headwinds this year and is down over 2% since January, the company's underlying fundamentals remain solid. Its latest earnings report showed revenue topping $36.2 billion—a clear sign that demand is holding firm, even as the stock has lagged.
Bottom line?
As the push toward U.S. energy independence grows and foreign oil faces even more hurdles, Marathon is built to keep winning.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Archer Daniels Midland</h2>
Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ADM#NYSE">ADM</a>) is still my favorite of the group—and for good reason.
What sets ADM apart is its seasonal strength. Between March and May, this stock has moved higher nine out of the last ten years. That's 90% accuracy over the last decade—a consistency you don't find very often.
When I ran these three stocks through my Money Calendar software, ADM was the clear standout.
It's delivered an average 6% move higher during this window, and just last year, it popped nearly 13% between March and May. That's the kind of reliability I want in my corner.
And here's the best part: ADM doesn't care about tariffs.
Its seasonal pattern—and its position as a global agriculture powerhouse—gives it pattern-driven potential, strong fundamentals and technical momentum all at once.
In a choppy market, that&#8217;s the triple threat you want working for you.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Get Ahead of Tomorrow's Biggest Earnings Moves</h2>
When earnings reports are released tomorrow, the ripple effects could shake the entire market. Our Earnings Command Center gives you real-time alerts, key data, and actionable insights—before the news breaks. Get Your Earnings Edge <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge">HERE</a>
Editorial content from our Expert contributors is intended to be information for the general public and not individualized investment advice. Editors/contributors are presenting their individual opinions and strategies, which are neither expressly nor impliedly approved or endorsed by Benzinga.
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3 Stocks To Turn Tariffs Into Opportunities (CORRECTED)

While crude prices continue to decline,<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/etfs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> oil-linked ETFs</a> are not only being watched for their price action but also for the insight they provide into sentiment across various segments of the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/oil" target="_blank" rel="noopener">energy sector</a>. Two of the most heavily followed funds—United States Oil Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/USO#NYSE">USO</a>) and SPDR S&amp;P Oil &amp; Gas Exploration &amp; Production ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOP#NYSE">XOP</a>)—provide different perspectives on how market players are positioned on oil volatility.
United States Oil Fund
USO is intended to replicate the daily movements of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures. It does this mainly through holding near-month NYMEX futures contracts, and as such, it is extremely vulnerable to short-term changes in the price of oil. The ETF <a href="https://www.uscfinvestments.com/uso">owns </a>a series of front-month WTI futures contracts and rolls them over on a monthly basis. This exposes the fund to contango and backwardation, two states in the futures curve that can either drain or enhance returns independent of spot price direction.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/25/04/45018013/oil-drops-below-key-support-is-55-the-next-stop-for-west-texas-intermediate">Oil Drops Below Key Support: Is $55 The Next Stop For West Texas Intermediate?</a>
Through April 29, USO has dropped almost 3% as of writing, echoing weakness in crude. For the past month, its decline, at more than 14%, has intensified as Brent and WTI are on track for a bad month.
USO tends to function as a short-term tactical trading tool instead of a long-term investment tool. Its April movement indicates increasing angst regarding short-term demand destruction with trade disruptions, risk of oversupply, and macroeconomic weakness.
SPDR S&amp;P Oil &amp; Gas Exploration &amp; Production ETF
Whereas USO tracks the commodity, XOP <a href="https://www.ssga.com/us/en/intermediary/etfs/spdr-sp-oil-gas-exploration-production-etf-xop">invests </a>in an equal-weighted index of U.S. energy stocks that are engaged in upstream oil and gas production. The ETF offers diversified exposure to small- and mid-cap exploration and production (E&amp;P) companies. Its equal-weighting approach minimizes concentration risk but maximizes volatility, particularly in times of declining oil prices.
Top Holdings: CNX Resources (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNX#NYSE">CNX</a>), Marathon Petroleum (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>), and Exxon Mobil (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XOM#NYSE">XOM</a>) are among the fund&#8217;s top holdings—companies that are more exposed to commodity price fluctuations because of their relatively high-cost production and capital sensitivity.
XOP fell 0.9% Tuesday afternoon, although it has beaten USO on a relative basis over the last few weeks. That is possibly driven by a perception that equities—particularly those with solid balance sheets—can better withstand short-term price dips than the futures curve.
XOP will be ideal for investors looking for leveraged exposure to oil prices through equities when prices are moving higher. Yet, in a bear market like the current one, its small-cap bias makes it a riskier play.
Sentiment Shifts
Brent crude&nbsp;dropped&nbsp;below $63.96 a barrel on Tuesday afternoon, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI)&nbsp;was&nbsp;around $60.34—both&nbsp;<a href="https://oilprice.com/oil-price-charts/">lower&nbsp;</a>for a second&nbsp;straight&nbsp;session. Brent, which has dropped 16% year-to-date, is now set to register its biggest monthly drop&nbsp;since 2021, a reflection of&nbsp;growing&nbsp;worries&nbsp;over&nbsp;weakening&nbsp;demand and geopolitical&nbsp;uncertainty.
At the same time, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-28/latest-oil-market-news-and-analysis-for-april-29">OPEC+&#8217;s</a> hint at bringing production levels back online is exerting downward pressure on prices, with oversupply fears rising as much as the demand outlook weakens, according to Bloomberg.
Geopolitical events are further complicating matters. Negotiations between Tehran and Washington on Iran&#8217;s nuclear program have given tentative indications of progress. If diplomatic efforts result in sanctions easing, Iranian crude might return to global markets—a bearish oil price catalyst once again.
Investors in oil ETFs are also getting hit. As their prices decline, USO and XOP are experiencing increased volume as investors rethink their energy exposure in light of the increased uncertainty.
Looking forward, markets will be waiting to see economic data this week that can provide more clarity on trading conditions. Meanwhile, oil ETFs remain an important gauge of investor sentiment, capturing the fine balancing act of forces at play in the global energy market.
Read Next: 
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Specialty ETFs

Oil's Slippery Slide: What USO And XOP ETFs Reveal About Energy Market Panic

Late last week, Valero Energy Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/VLO#NYSE">VLO</a>) reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/25/04/44977776/valero-posts-higher-than-expected-profit-despite-sharp-refining-margin-decline">better-than-declined quarterly profits</a>.
So far this year, the company's stock has underperformed its closest peer, Marathon Petroleum Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MPC#NYSE">MPC</a>) by around 6%. It also underperformed the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XLE#NYSE">XLE</a>) by about 3%, according to Goldman Sachs.
The Valero Energy Analyst: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings/analyst/586f95cd72b34c0001c9b160/neil-mehta">Analyst Neil Mehta</a> upgraded the rating from Sell to Neutral, while raising the price target from $115 to $127.
The Valero Energy Thesis: Many of the headwinds that resulted in the stock's underperformance are now reversing, Mehta said in the upgrade note.
Check out <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-stock-ratings">other analyst stock ratings</a>.
The analyst stated three reasons for the upgrade:
<ul>
<li>Following consensus revisions, expectations better reflect "the deceleration in refining profitability with VLO 2025 EPS having been negatively revised by ~50% over the last year," he said.</li>
<li>The crude environment seems to be improving and the OPEC had begun adding barrels into the market, Mehta mentioned. "We believe the incremental heavy barrels should support more favorable crude differentials and support margins at Valero," he further wrote.</li>
<li>Although the demand environment in uncertain, the supply side is faced with larger refining closures.</li>
</ul>
"We additionally highlight the company's relatively healthy balance sheet and strong cash flow generation which we believe supports the company's continued commitment to shareholder returns," Mehta said.
Price Action: Shares of Valero Energy had risen by 0.32% to $115.14 at the time of publication on Tuesday.
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Analyst Color

Upgrades

Valero Energy Analyst Is No Longer Bearish: Here Are 3 Reasons Why

Press Releases

Marathon Petroleum Corp. to host 2025 annual meeting of shareholders

Marathon Petroleum Corp. Reports Fourth-Quarter 2024 Results and 2025 Capital Outlook

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Offerings

Marathon Petroleum Corp. prices $2.0 billion senior notes offering

Financing

Comstock Fuels Completes Financing with Marathon Petroleum

Marathon Petroleum Corp. to Report First-Quarter Financial Results on May 6, 2025

Pegasus Tech Ventures to host a Startup Pitch Competition during San Francisco Climate Week

Date	Put/Call	Strike Price	Exp Date	DTE	Trade Vol	Day Vol	Vol / OI	OI	Trade Type	Sentiment
10:45 AMMay 19, 2025	PUT	$145.00	Sep 19, 2025	106	3001	1610	2831	106	TRADE	BEARISH
10:44 AMMay 19, 2025	PUT	$145.00	Sep 19, 2025	106	1386	1386	1308	106	SWEEP	BEARISH
11:03 AMMay 15, 2025	CALL	$165.00	Sep 19, 2025	106	500	499	420	119	SWEEP	BEARISH

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