Eric Bartko, Senior Vice President of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA), sold 345 shares of the company’s stock on February 13, 2024, in a transaction valued at approximately $139,669.80. The shares were sold at an average price of $404.84 each. Following this sale, Bartko’s direct ownership in Murphy USA decreased to 352 shares, which are currently valued at around $142,503.68.
This transaction marks a significant reduction in Bartko’s holdings, representing a decrease of 49.50%. The details of this sale were disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Stock Performance and Recent Earnings
On the same day as Bartko’s sale, shares of Murphy USA traded up by $22.94, reaching a price of $407.77. The trading volume for the day was 540,455 shares, which exceeds the average volume of 347,425 shares. Over the past year, the company’s stock has fluctuated between a low of $345.23 and a high of $523.09.
Murphy USA reported its most recent earnings on February 4, 2024, revealing earnings per share (EPS) of $7.53 for the quarter. This figure surpassed analysts’ expectations, which had predicted an EPS of $6.67. The company generated a revenue of $4.74 billion, slightly below the anticipated $4.88 billion. Notably, Murphy USA achieved a return on equity of 75.75% and a net margin of 2.43%, with year-over-year revenue growth of 0.7%.
Institutional Investments and Analyst Ratings
Recent shifts in institutional investments have influenced the stock dynamics of Murphy USA. Barclays PLC increased its stake in the company by 318.6% during the third quarter, now holding 424,818 shares valued at approximately $164.94 million. Other significant investors include Norges Bank, which acquired a stake worth $93.97 million, and Neuberger Berman Group LLC, which boosted its holdings by an astounding 3,650.7%.
Currently, institutional investors and hedge funds own around 80.81% of Murphy USA’s stock. As for analyst ratings, the stock has received mixed reviews. Royal Bank of Canada lowered its price target from $467.00 to $445.00, while Stephens adjusted its target from $475.00 to $450.00. Overall, the average rating for Murphy USA is classified as “Hold,” with an average target price of $457.50, according to data from MarketBeat.com.
Established in El Dorado, Arkansas, Murphy USA is a prominent player in the downstream marketing of gasoline and convenience store products in the United States. Originally part of Murphy Oil Corporation, it became an independent public entity in 2013. Since then, the company has concentrated on retail fueling services, aiming to provide value and convenience to its customers.
