Latest News

Marathon Petroleum beats Q1 profit estimates on elevated fuel demand, tight products

Leading U.S. refiner Marathon Petroleum beat firstquarter earnings estimates on Tuesday, as need for improved products remained at high levels and international fuel supplies tightened due to refinery upkeep activities and interruptions in Russia.

The refiner likewise announced a $5 billion increase to its share repurchase authorization.

Heavy refinery upkeep work during the quarter and failures at Russian refineries following Ukrainian drone attacks reduced fuel products to international markets.

Demand for fuel remained steady. U.S. product provided, a. proxy for need, balanced at 20.10 million barrels per day. ( bpd) at the end of March, compared to 19.7 million bpd a year. previously, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration. data.

Marathon stated it completed $648 countless planned. turn-around activity in the noted quarter, the highest level. in the company's history.

Turn-arounds decreased utilization to 82%, which contributed to. refining operating costs per barrel of $6.14 during the first. quarter.

Its total throughput was 2.7 million bpd in the. January-March quarter, compared with 2.8 million bpd a year. previously. For the 2nd quarter, Marathon expects overall refinery. throughput of 2.97 million bpd.

Refining and marketing margin tipped over 27% to $18.99 per. barrel for the very first quarter, compared with a year previously, the. biggest U.S. refiner by volume stated.

The beat is not big enough to create a wow element, said. analysts at Scotiabank.

Turnaround expense was available in greater than guidance suggesting. the turn-around did not proceed as smoothly as hoped, Scotiabank. added.

Margins and revenues of U.S. refiners have actually stabilized after. hitting sky-high levels in 2022, when Russia's intrusion of. Ukraine interfered with crude supplies.

The refiner published earnings of $2.58 per share, for the. 3 months ended March 31, topping average experts' estimate. of $2.42 per share.

It reported a revenue of $6.09 per share a year earlier.