Marathon Petroleum (MPC) has delivered a strong showing over the past year, catching the attention of investors interested in the energy sector. With its stock up 25% in the past year alone, the company’s performance stands out.

See our latest analysis for Marathon Petroleum.

Marathon Petroleum’s momentum has gathered pace, with the share price returning nearly 5% over the last month and surging by over 18% in the past three months. While short-term pullbacks can occur, the one-year total shareholder return of 25% and an impressive 437% total return over five years point to a company that is consistently rewarding long-term investors, even as the energy sector remains dynamic.

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But with such impressive gains and momentum, the question becomes whether Marathon Petroleum’s current share price leaves room for further upside, or if much of tomorrow’s growth is already reflected in today’s valuation. Could there still be a buying opportunity, or is the market already pricing in the future?

Based on the most widely followed narrative, Marathon Petroleum’s consensus fair value of $197.50 is nearly identical to its recent close of $195.52, hinting at little room for valuation surprises. This equilibrium sets up a nuanced conversation about what is truly driving expectations for the company’s next phase.

“Strategic portfolio optimization, including high-return refinery ‘quick hit’ projects and ongoing expansion in midstream logistics/NGL infrastructure (such as the Northwind Midstream acquisition), are enhancing operational flexibility and supporting incremental improvement in net margins and long-term cash flow generation.”

Read the complete narrative.

Want to unpack the math behind this carefully balanced price? The narrative leans on powerful upgrades in efficiency and margin transformation that could shift the outlook in ways you might not expect. Would you bet on the catalysts they see? Unlock the drivers and see what could tip the scales next.

Result: Fair Value of $197.50 (ABOUT RIGHT)

Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what’s behind the forecasts.

However, accelerating electrification in transportation or stricter environmental policies could undermine Marathon’s earnings power and challenge its current valuation outlook.

Find out about the key risks to this Marathon Petroleum narrative.

While the prevailing consensus sees Marathon Petroleum as fairly valued, our SWS DCF model points to a much more bullish scenario. It estimates the company’s fair value at $567.37 per share, which is over triple the current price. Could this huge gap signal a hidden opportunity, or is the DCF too optimistic about future growth?

Look into how the SWS DCF model arrives at its fair value.

MPC Discounted Cash Flow as at Nov 2025

MPC Discounted Cash Flow as at Nov 2025

If you’re ready to challenge the prevailing view or want to see the numbers for yourself, why not dive in, crunch the data, and share your own take in just a few minutes? Do it your way

A great starting point for your Marathon Petroleum research is our analysis highlighting 3 key rewards and 2 important warning signs that could impact your investment decision.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include MPC.

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