greeksoup/ stock research

Marathon Petroleum Corp.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net income attributable to MPC: The company reported net income attributable to MPC of $511 million, or $1.73 per diluted share, against a net loss of $(74) million, or $(0.24) per diluted share, a year earlier. Adjusted net income was $487 million, or $1.65 per diluted share. Source
  • Operating cash flow of $1.1B: Cash provided by operating activities was $1.1 billion, compared with $(64) million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • R&M earnings per barrel rose: R&M segment adjusted EBITDA was $1.4 billion, or $5.37 per barrel, versus $489 million, or $1.91 per barrel, a year earlier. Source
  • Refining margin per barrel rose: R&M margin was $17.74 per barrel versus $13.38. Management cited higher crack spreads, partly offset by derivative losses on the economic hedging program. Source
  • Crude utilization held at 89%: Crude capacity utilization was 89%, giving total throughput of 2.9 million barrels per day. Net refinery throughput was 2,850 thousand barrels per day, flat with the prior year. Source
  • Incremental $5B buyback approved: The Board approved an incremental $5 billion repurchase authorization. Repurchases may be suspended or discontinued at any time, and their timing depends on market and business conditions. Source
  • Garyville jet flexibility online: The Garyville jet flexibility project came online in the first quarter. It modifies the hydrocracker fractionator to upgrade products into higher-value jet fuel. Source
  • 12.5% distribution growth expected: MPLX's Permian growth strategy is expected to support 12.5% annual distribution growth to MPC in 2026 and 2027. Source

“Our first-quarter results underscore the strength and reliability of our integrated system and our disciplined approach to capital deployment,”

Maryann Mannen, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Refining operating costs SourceSecond quarter 2026$5.65 per barrel
Distribution costs SourceSecond quarter 2026$1,625 million
Refining planned turnaround costs SourceSecond quarter 2026$300 million
Refining & Marketing depreciation and amortization SourceSecond quarter 2026$390 million
Refinery throughput SourceSecond quarter 20262,990 mbpd total; 2,795 mbpd crude oil refined
Corporate expense SourceSecond quarter 2026$240 million
Full-year planned turnaround expense Source2026$1.35 billionKept
Capital spending (excluding MPLX) Source2026$1.5 billion
MPLX distribution growth to MPC Source2026 and 202712.5% annual
Share repurchase authorization SourcePro forma as of March 31, 2026$5 billion incremental; $8.6 billion availableNew
El Paso FCC upgrade completion Source2Q262Q26 target completion
Robinson jet project completion Source3Q263Q26 target completion

What changed from last quarter

  • New: The Garyville jet flexibility project was brought online in the first quarter of 2026, allowing higher-value jet fuel production. Source
  • New: The Board approved an incremental $5 billion share repurchase authorization in the quarter. Source
  • Guidance kept: Full-year planned turnaround expense is unchanged at an estimated $1.35 billion. Source

Results and earnings

  • Net income attributable to MPC: The company reported net income attributable to MPC of $511 million, or $1.73 per diluted share, against a net loss of $(74) million, or $(0.24) per diluted share, a year earlier. Adjusted net income was $487 million, or $1.65 per diluted share. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose to $2.8B: Adjusted EBITDA was $2.8 billion, compared with $2.0 billion a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA excludes refining planned turnaround costs, which were $530 million in the quarter. Source
  • Operating cash flow of $1.1B: Cash provided by operating activities was $1.1 billion, compared with $(64) million in the first quarter of 2025. Source
  • Clean fuel credits added to results: Results include $32 million of pre-tax clean fuel production tax credits for 2025, recognized after proposed February 2026 guidance clarified 45Z qualification criteria. Source

Refining and Marketing segment

  • R&M earnings per barrel rose: R&M segment adjusted EBITDA was $1.4 billion, or $5.37 per barrel, versus $489 million, or $1.91 per barrel, a year earlier. Source
  • Refining margin per barrel rose: R&M margin was $17.74 per barrel versus $13.38. Management cited higher crack spreads, partly offset by derivative losses on the economic hedging program. Source
  • Crude utilization held at 89%: Crude capacity utilization was 89%, giving total throughput of 2.9 million barrels per day. Net refinery throughput was 2,850 thousand barrels per day, flat with the prior year. Source
  • Regional margins higher on West Coast: West Coast margin was $25.71 per barrel versus $17.94. Gulf Coast was $17.58 versus $11.75, and Mid-Continent was $14.10 versus $13.03. Source

“Accelerating our planned turnaround activity in the quarter enhances our operational readiness to supply the elevated levels of current market demand.”

Maryann Mannen, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Midstream and Renewable Diesel

  • Midstream EBITDA eased to $1.6B: Midstream adjusted EBITDA was $1.6 billion, versus $1.7 billion. The decline reflected $77 million of derivative losses, offset in part by a $37 million non-recurring benefit in the prior year. Source
  • Renewable Diesel earnings turned to $38M: Renewable Diesel adjusted EBITDA was $38 million, versus $(42) million. Results reflected a stronger margin environment and 45Z tax credits, partly offset by Martinez JV planned downtime. Source
  • Midstream throughput slightly lower: Pipeline throughput was 5,788 thousand barrels per day, versus 6,022. Natural gas processed was 9,406 million cubic feet per day, versus 9,781. Source

Costs, turnaround and corporate

  • Refining costs rose on turnarounds: Refining operating costs were $6.23 per barrel, versus $5.74, reflecting higher project-related expense from increased turnaround activity. Turnaround costs were $530 million, versus $454 million. Source
  • Distribution costs per barrel up: Distribution costs were $6.16 per barrel, versus $5.77. Fees paid to MPLX included in distribution costs were $3.97 per barrel, versus $3.86. Source
  • About 40% of turnarounds completed: The company reported safe and reliable performance while completing approximately 40% of its 2026 planned turnaround activity in the quarter. Full-year turnaround expense is estimated at $1.35 billion. Source
  • Corporate expense increased: Corporate expenses were $274 million, versus $210 million, from remeasuring performance-based stock compensation and Martinez environmental remediation expense. Source

“MPLX progressed its mid-single digit growth strategy through expansions across its Natural Gas and NGL value chains, underpinning distribution growth and strengthening cash flow stability to MPC, positioning us to lead in capital return.”

Maryann Mannen, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Over $1.0B returned to shareholders: The company returned over $1.0 billion of capital to shareholders in the quarter. At March 31, 2026, $3.6 billion remained under existing repurchase authorizations. Source
  • Incremental $5B buyback approved: The Board approved an incremental $5 billion repurchase authorization. Repurchases may be suspended or discontinued at any time, and their timing depends on market and business conditions. Source
  • Cash and no revolver borrowings: Cash and equivalents were $2.2 billion at March 31, 2026, including $1.5 billion at MPLX. No borrowings were outstanding under the $5 billion revolving credit facility. Source
  • 2026 capital spending plan: Capital spending for 2026, excluding MPLX, is $1.5 billion. First-quarter capital expenditures and investments totaled $1,252 million, including $892 million in Midstream. Source

Refinery projects and timing

  • Garyville jet flexibility online: The Garyville jet flexibility project came online in the first quarter. It modifies the hydrocracker fractionator to upgrade products into higher-value jet fuel. Source
  • El Paso and Robinson completions: The El Paso FCC upgrade is targeted for 2Q26 completion. The Robinson jet project is targeted for 3Q26 completion. Source
  • Galveston Bay and Garyville later projects: The Galveston Bay distillate hydrotreater and the Garyville feedstock and export projects are expected in service at year-end 2027. Source

MPLX growth program

  • 12.5% distribution growth expected: MPLX's Permian growth strategy is expected to support 12.5% annual distribution growth to MPC in 2026 and 2027. Source
  • MPLX investing in gas and NGL: MPLX is investing 90% of its $2.4 billion organic growth capital plan in natural gas and NGL infrastructure, concentrated in the Permian and Marcellus, with mid-teens expected returns. Source
  • Harmon Creek and other dated projects: Harmon Creek III is expected in service in 3Q26. The Titan Complex, BANGL expansion and Blackcomb pipeline are each expected in 4Q26. Source
  • Gulf Coast fractionators in 2028-2029: Two 150 thousand barrel per day fractionation facilities near the Galveston Bay refinery are expected in service in 2028 and 2029. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 May 2026

  • El Paso FCC upgrade completion: The El Paso FCC upgrade is targeted for completion in 2Q26. Source
  • Robinson jet project completion: The Robinson product flexibility project is targeted for in-service in 3Q26. Source
  • Bay Runner pipeline in 3Q26: Bay Runner gas transport capacity, with MPLX at 30% ownership, is expected in 3Q26. Rio Bravo is expected in 2029. Source
  • Repurchases under new authority: Repurchases may be made through open market, block, accelerated, tender or Rule 10b5-1 arrangements, with timing dependent on market and business conditions. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Net refinery throughput (mbpd) Source2,850 (Q1 2026) vs 2,849 (Q1 2025)
Crude capacity utilization Source89%
Refining & Marketing margin per barrel Source$17.74 (Q1 2026) vs $13.38 (Q1 2025)
Refining & Marketing capital expenditures Source$328 million (Q1 2026) vs $362 million (Q1 2025)

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Increased turnaround activity raised refining operating costs through project-related expense in the quarter. Source
  • Financial: Derivative losses on economic hedges reduced Midstream results and offset part of the Refining & Marketing margin gain. Source
  • Regulatory: Environmental remediation expense related to historical operations at the Martinez refinery increased Corporate costs. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: The Garyville jet flexibility project was brought online in the first quarter, as the company had planned. Source
  • Not stated: The company said the El Paso FCC upgrade is progressing toward a 2Q26 target completion. Source
  • Not stated: The company said the Robinson jet project is progressing toward a 3Q26 target completion. Source
  • Not stated: Management said the $1.0 billion of capital returned reinforces its commitment to industry-leading capital return. 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.