Marathon Oil (NYSE:MRO) Now Covered by Analysts at StockNews.com

StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Marathon Oil (NYSE:MRO) in a research note issued to investors on Friday morning. The firm issued a buy rating on the oil and gas producer’s stock.

Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of Marathon Oil from $29.00 to $28.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, September 5th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a $29.00 price objective (down from $38.00) on shares of Marathon Oil in a report on Friday, May 31st. Susquehanna dropped their target price on Marathon Oil from $39.00 to $37.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Piper Sandler upped their target price on Marathon Oil from $34.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Marathon Oil from $33.00 to $30.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, September 12th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $31.65.

Marathon Oil Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of Marathon Oil stock opened at $27.93 on Friday. Marathon Oil has a 1-year low of $21.81 and a 1-year high of $30.06. The company has a market capitalization of $15.75 billion, a PE ratio of 11.54 and a beta of 2.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.57 and a quick ratio of 0.52. The business has a 50-day moving average of $27.67 and a 200-day moving average of $27.60.

Marathon Oil (NYSE:MRO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 7th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.63 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.69 by ($0.06). Marathon Oil had a net margin of 22.12% and a return on equity of 13.81%. The firm had revenue of $1.71 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.69 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.48 earnings per share. Marathon Oil’s revenue was up 12.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Marathon Oil will post 2.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Marathon Oil Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 10th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 21st were issued a dividend of $0.11 per share. This represents a $0.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.58%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 21st. Marathon Oil’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.18%.

Insider Transactions at Marathon Oil

In other news, insider Dane E. Whitehead sold 52,008 shares of Marathon Oil stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.50, for a total transaction of $1,430,220.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 100,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,750,000. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, VP Michael A. Henderson sold 38,000 shares of Marathon Oil stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.21, for a total value of $1,033,980.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 76,828 shares in the company, valued at $2,090,489.88. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Dane E. Whitehead sold 52,008 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.50, for a total transaction of $1,430,220.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 100,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,750,000. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.35% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Marathon Oil

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. HWG Holdings LP bought a new position in shares of Marathon Oil during the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Riverview Trust Co purchased a new position in Marathon Oil during the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Benjamin Edwards Inc. raised its position in Marathon Oil by 226.0% during the 1st quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 978 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 678 shares during the last quarter. Founders Capital Management grew its position in shares of Marathon Oil by 100.0% in the 2nd quarter. Founders Capital Management now owns 1,000 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Highbridge Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Marathon Oil during the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.24% of the company’s stock.

Marathon Oil Company Profile

Marathon Oil Corporation, an independent exploration and production company, engages in exploration, production, and marketing of crude oil and condensate, natural gas liquids, and natural gas in the United States and internationally. The company also produces and markets products manufactured from natural gas, such as liquefied natural gas and methanol.