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Marathon Petroleum Corp.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 11 new, 2 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth-quarter earnings rose year over year: Net income attributable to MPC was $1,535 million, or $5.12 per diluted share, against $371 million, or $1.15. Adjusted net income was $1,220 million, or $4.07, against $249 million, or $0.77. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA higher than a year earlier: Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA was $3,489 million against $2,120 million. Full-year adjusted EBITDA was $11,956 million against $11,323 million. Source
  • R&M segment adjusted EBITDA rose: R&M segment adjusted EBITDA was $1,997 million, versus $559 million, or $7.15 per barrel against $2.03 a year earlier. Source
  • Full-year margin capture reported: Management reported full-year refining utilization of 94% and margin capture of 105%. Source
  • Refining operating costs rose: Refining operating costs were $5.70 per barrel against $5.26, reflecting project expense tied to turnaround activity and energy costs. Source
  • Cash balance rose to $3.7 billion: Cash and cash equivalents were $3,672 million at December 31, against $2,654 million at September 30, including $2.1 billion at MPLX. No borrowings were outstanding under the revolver. Source
  • Operating cash flow and capital returns: Cash provided by operations was $8.3 billion for 2025 against $8.7 billion, and management said cash enabled $4.5 billion of capital returns in 2025. Source
  • MPLX distributions cited for MPC payouts: Management said growing MPLX distribution is expected to more than fund MPC's 2026 dividend and standalone capital, and described it as a source of differentiation. Source

“In 2025, strong refining operational performance and commercial execution drove cash flow generation,”

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Maryann Mannen

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Refining & Marketing capital spending Source2026$1,410 millionNew
MPLX capital spending Source2026$2.7 billionNew
Garyville feedstock optimization capital Source2026 and 2027$110 million in 2026; $185 million in 2027New
Garyville product export flexibility capital Source2026 and 2027$50 million in 2026; $100 million in 2027New
El Paso yield improvement capital Source2026$35 millionNew
Robinson product flexibility capital Source2026$50 millionKept
Galveston Bay distillate hydrotreater capital Source2026 and 2027$350 million in 2026; $225 million in 2027Kept
R&M refining operating costs per barrel Sourcefirst quarter 2026$5.85New
R&M distribution costs Sourcefirst quarter 2026$1,625 millionNew
Refining planned turnaround costs Sourcefirst quarter 2026$465 millionNew
R&M depreciation and amortization Sourcefirst quarter 2026$385 millionNew
Refinery throughput Sourcefirst quarter 20262,740 mbpd total (crude oil refined 2,540; other charge and blendstocks 200)New
Corporate expense Sourcefirst quarter 2026$240 million (includes $30 million of D&A)New

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: First-quarter 2026 refining costs, distribution, turnaround and throughput figures given. Source
  • New: Garyville feedstock optimization project newly announced, to displace higher-cost intermediate purchases with crude. Source
  • New: Garyville product export flexibility project newly announced for premium gasoline exports. Source
  • New: El Paso yield improvement project newly announced to expand volume and specialty gasoline output. Source
  • New: Secretariat II gas processing plant newly announced, adding 300 MMcf/d in the Permian. Source
  • New: Marcellus Gathering System Expansion newly announced at MPLX's Majorsville complex. Source
  • Ended: Los Angeles utility modernization project, listed as an active project last quarter, was implemented in the fourth quarter. Source
  • Guidance kept: Robinson 2026 capital remains $50 million, as in the prior release. Source

Fourth-quarter and full-year results

  • Fourth-quarter earnings rose year over year: Net income attributable to MPC was $1,535 million, or $5.12 per diluted share, against $371 million, or $1.15. Adjusted net income was $1,220 million, or $4.07, against $249 million, or $0.77. Source
  • Full-year earnings and adjusted earnings: Full-year net income attributable to MPC was $4,047 million, or $13.22 per diluted share, against $3,445 million, or $10.08. Full-year adjusted net income was $3,277 million, or $10.70, against $3,250 million, or $9.51. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA higher than a year earlier: Fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA was $3,489 million against $2,120 million. Full-year adjusted EBITDA was $11,956 million against $11,323 million. Source
  • Gains and settlements removed from adjusted results: Pre-tax adjustments removed $253 million of legal settlements and $159 million of asset sale gains in the fourth quarter, and $897 million of asset sale gains for the full year. Source

Segment results

  • R&M segment adjusted EBITDA rose: R&M segment adjusted EBITDA was $1,997 million, versus $559 million, or $7.15 per barrel against $2.03 a year earlier. Source
  • R&M margin per barrel rose: R&M margin was $18.65 per barrel against $12.93 a year earlier. Source
  • Higher crack spreads cited for margin: Management attributed R&M margin results to higher crack spreads compared with the fourth quarter of 2024. Source
  • Midstream EBITDA steady at $1.7 billion: Midstream segment adjusted EBITDA was $1.7 billion in each period; higher rates, throughputs and acquired assets were offset by higher operating expenses and a divestiture. Source
  • Renewable Diesel EBITDA positive: Renewable Diesel segment adjusted EBITDA was $7 million against $28 million, with utilization of 94% and a margin environment lower than a year earlier. Source
  • Corporate expense increased: Corporate expenses were $236 million against $189 million a year earlier. Source

“The deployment of MPC capital enhances our competitiveness in each of the regions where we operate.”

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Maryann Mannen

Refinery operations and yields

  • Crude throughput and utilization: Crude oil refined averaged 2,817 mbpd in the fourth quarter against 2,783 mbpd, and 2,787 mbpd for the full year against 2,714. Source
  • Full-year margin capture reported: Management reported full-year refining utilization of 94% and margin capture of 105%. Source
  • Full-year R&M margin per barrel: Full-year R&M margin was $16.87 per barrel against $16.01 in 2024. Source
  • Heavy fuel oil yield rose: Heavy fuel oil yield was 123 mbpd in the fourth quarter against 57 mbpd a year earlier. Source
  • Sour crude share of throughput rose: Sour crude was 47% of throughput in the fourth quarter against 43%, and 45% for the full year against 44%. Source
  • R&M product sales volume rose: R&M refined product sales volume was 3,803 mbpd against 3,747, and 3,718 mbpd for the full year against 3,585. Source

Regional refining margins

  • West Coast margin highest per barrel: West Coast R&M margin was $21.94 per barrel against $15.70, with operating costs of $8.26 per barrel against $7.48. Source
  • Mid-Continent margin up most per barrel: Mid-Continent R&M margin was $18.19 per barrel against $11.31, with operating costs of $5.56 against $5.21. Source
  • Gulf Coast margin per barrel: Gulf Coast R&M margin was $17.09 per barrel against $12.36, with operating costs of $4.49 against $4.04. Source
  • Regional margin in dollars: R&M margin in dollars was $2,111 million Gulf Coast, $1,949 million Mid-Continent and $1,072 million West Coast, against $1,483 million, $1,207 million and $770 million. Source

“Growing MPLX distributions differentiates MPC from peers and supports our commitment to industry-leading capital return.”

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Maryann Mannen

Costs and margins

  • Refining operating costs rose: Refining operating costs were $5.70 per barrel against $5.26, reflecting project expense tied to turnaround activity and energy costs. Source
  • Turnaround costs excluded from segment EBITDA: Planned turnaround costs of $410 million in the fourth quarter, against $281 million, are excluded from segment adjusted EBITDA. Source
  • Fees paid to MPLX per barrel: Fees paid to MPLX, included in distribution costs, were $3.66 per barrel against $3.60. Source
  • Selling and administrative expense higher: SG&A expense was $836 million in the fourth quarter against $804 million, and $3,349 million for the full year against $3,221 million. Source
  • Net interest costs higher: Net interest and other financial costs were $343 million against $245 million; full-year costs were $1,276 million against $839 million. Source
  • Renewable Diesel margin lower: Renewable Diesel margin was $68 million in the fourth quarter against $137 million, and $151 million for the full year against $186 million. Source

Midstream volumes and earnings

  • Pipeline throughput higher: Pipeline throughput averaged 6,005 mbpd against 5,939 mbpd; full-year pipeline throughput was 6,067 mbpd against 5,874. Source
  • Gas processing volumes lower: Natural gas processed averaged 9,827 MMcf/d against 9,934, and C2 plus NGL fractionation was 666 mbpd against 683; gathering throughput rose to 6,848 MMcf/d. Source
  • Full-year Midstream EBITDA higher: Full-year Midstream segment adjusted EBITDA was $6,750 million against $6,544 million. Source

Capital spending

  • Total capital spending rose: Total capital expenditures and investments were $1,462 million in the fourth quarter against $921 million, and $4,693 million for 2025 against $3,076 million. Source
  • Midstream and R&M capital: Midstream capital was $979 million in the fourth quarter and $2,975 million for 2025, against $1,504 million; R&M capital was $1,580 million for 2025 against $1,445 million. Source
  • Renewable Diesel capital was low: Renewable Diesel capital was $1 million in the fourth quarter and $19 million for 2025. Source

Cash, debt and shareholder returns

  • Cash balance rose to $3.7 billion: Cash and cash equivalents were $3,672 million at December 31, against $2,654 million at September 30, including $2.1 billion at MPLX. No borrowings were outstanding under the revolver. Source
  • Operating cash flow and capital returns: Cash provided by operations was $8.3 billion for 2025 against $8.7 billion, and management said cash enabled $4.5 billion of capital returns in 2025. Source
  • Repurchase authorization remaining: $4.4 billion remained available under share repurchase authorizations at December 31. Source
  • Total debt by entity: Total consolidated debt was $32,876 million at December 31, including MPC debt of $7,223 million and MPLX debt of $25,653 million. Source

Strategy and midstream growth

  • MPLX distributions cited for MPC payouts: Management said growing MPLX distribution is expected to more than fund MPC's 2026 dividend and standalone capital, and described it as a source of differentiation. Source
  • Permian to Gulf Coast value chain: MPLX is expanding its Permian to Gulf Coast integrated value chain, progressing long-haul pipeline growth, and investing in Permian and Marcellus processing capacity for producer demand. Source
  • Gulf Coast LPG export terminal planned: A 400 mbpd LPG export terminal is being constructed with ONEOK, anticipated in service in 2028; two 150 mbpd fractionators near Galveston Bay are due in 2028 and 2029. Source
  • Eiger Express capacity now 3.7 Bcf/d: Eiger Express is now described as a 3.7 Bcf/d pipeline from the Permian to Katy, Texas, expected in service in mid-2028; the November release gave 2.5 Bcf/d. Source

Coming up, as management said on 3 February 2026

  • El Paso yield project completion: El Paso yield improvement project completion is expected in the second quarter of 2026. Source
  • Bay Runner pipeline in service: Bay Runner Pipeline is expected in service in the third quarter of 2026; the Rio Bravo Pipeline is expected in service in 2029. Source
  • Harmon Creek III processing expansion: Harmon Creek III is expected in service in the third quarter of 2026, lifting Northeast gas processing capacity to 8.1 Bcf/d. Source
  • Blackcomb pipeline in service: Blackcomb, a 2.5 Bcf/d Permian pipeline, is expected in service in the fourth quarter of 2026. Source
  • Titan second sour gas plant: The second sour gas treating plant at the Titan Complex is anticipated to be fully online in the fourth quarter of 2026. Source
  • Traverse pipeline in service: The Traverse pipeline is expected in service in the second half of 2027. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Crude capacity utilization Source95% Q4 2025; 94% full year 2025
Throughput Source3,038 mbpd net refinery throughput Q4 2025
Refining margin per barrel Source$18.65 Q4 2025; $16.87 full year 2025
Refining margin capture Source105% full year 2025
Capital expenditure Source$1,462 million Q4 2025; $4,693 million full year 2025

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Refining operating costs rose with higher project expense from increased turnaround activity and higher energy costs. Source
  • Operational: Midstream higher operating expenses and a divestiture offset rate, throughput and acquisition gains. Source
  • Demand: Renewable Diesel margin environment was lower than a year earlier, offsetting higher utilization. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Prior release targeted completion by year-end 2025; this release says the project was implemented in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • Not stated: Prior release expected service at the end of 2025; the plant began commissioning in January 2026. Source
  • Not stated: Prior release targeted completion by year-end 2026; this release gives the third quarter of 2026. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.