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

Stock analysts at StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Marathon Oil (NYSE:MRO) in a research note issued on Monday. The brokerage set a “buy” rating on the oil and gas producer’s stock.

Other analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Truist Financial reduced their price target on shares of Marathon Oil from $36.00 to $35.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, May 6th. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Marathon Oil from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 5th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Marathon Oil from $26.00 to $27.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, April 15th. Benchmark reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $32.00 price target on shares of Marathon Oil in a report on Friday, May 3rd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on shares of Marathon Oil from $39.00 to $36.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 22nd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Marathon Oil presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $32.86.

Marathon Oil Stock Down 0.3 %

MRO opened at $27.76 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 0.55. Marathon Oil has a fifty-two week low of $21.81 and a fifty-two week high of $30.06. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $27.26 and its 200 day moving average is $25.64. The stock has a market cap of $15.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.47 and a beta of 2.17.

Marathon Oil (NYSE:MRO) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 1st. The oil and gas producer reported $0.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.52 by $0.03. Marathon Oil had a net margin of 21.83% and a return on equity of 13.24%. The company had revenue of $1.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.56 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.67 EPS. Marathon Oil’s revenue for the quarter was down 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Marathon Oil will post 2.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Marathon Oil

In related news, insider Patrick Wagner sold 36,094 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.65, for a total transaction of $997,999.10. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 140,829 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,893,921.85. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Marathon Oil

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Riverview Trust Co purchased a new stake in shares of Marathon Oil in the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Benjamin Edwards Inc. lifted its position in shares of Marathon Oil by 226.0% in the 1st quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 978 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 678 shares during the period. Fortis Group Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Marathon Oil by 100.0% in the 4th quarter. Fortis Group Advisors LLC now owns 1,236 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 618 shares during the period. Manchester Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marathon Oil in the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Scarborough Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Marathon Oil in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. 77.24% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Marathon Oil

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.