Topic: How To Invest

Pat: I would like your analysis and advice on Marathon Petroleum and Ryder System. Thank you.

Article Excerpt

Marathon Petroleum Corp., $99.90, symbol MPC on New York (Shares outstanding: 280.2 million; Market cap: $28.1 billion; www.marathonpetroleum.com), was formed in July 2011, when Marathon Oil (symbol MRO on New York) spun it off as a separate company. Marathon Petroleum is the fourth-largest oil refiner in the U.S., with seven refineries that can process up to 1.7 million barrels a day. This business supplies 85% of the company’s revenue and earnings. Most of the remaining 15% comes from its retail division, which runs 2,740 gas stations/convenience stores in 23 states under the Speedway banner, in addition to supplying gasoline to over 5,400 independent stations in 19 states. Marathon recently paid $2.8 billion for Hess Corp.’s (symbol HES on New York) 1,342 gas stations and related operations, doubling the retail division’s size. In addition to its refining and retail operations, the company invests in oil pipelines and ethanol producers. In the …