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Murphy USA Inc (MUSA)
NYSE:MUSA
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Murphy USA (MUSA) AI Stock Analysis

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MUSA

Murphy USA

(NYSE:MUSA)

Rating:59Neutral
Price Target:
$379.00
▲(4.56%Upside)
The overall stock score for Murphy USA highlights key challenges in technical performance and growth prospects. While the company shows strong profitability and effective cost management, bearish technical indicators and pressures on revenue growth and merchandising weigh heavily on the score. Positive corporate governance developments slightly mitigate these concerns.
Positive Factors
Business Model
Murphy's has an advantaged business model within the U.S. C-store, and the company and stock have been strong performers, up significantly over the last five years.
Competitive Advantage
The company owns access to the Colonial pipeline, creating a significant competitive advantage that is not easily replicated.
Growth Potential
MUSA is well-positioned for continued growth, leveraging multiple strategic initiatives, including store expansions, targeted promotions, and operational efficiencies.
Negative Factors
Earnings Performance
Q1 earnings per share of $2.63 fell 34% below the consensus of $3.96.
Market Pressure
There is concern about multiple pressure in the near-term with shares still trading at a high multiple and the need for consistent year-over-year EPS growth.
Sales Decline
Same-store merchandise sales decreased, driven by a decline in both nicotine and non-nicotine sales, which were below estimates.

Murphy USA (MUSA) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Murphy USA Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionMurphy USA Inc. engages in marketing of retail motor fuel products and convenience merchandise. The company operates retail stores under the Murphy USA, Murphy Express, and QuickChek brands. As of December 31, 2021, it operated 1,679 retail gasoline stores principally in the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest United States. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in El Dorado, Arkansas.
How the Company Makes MoneyMurphy USA generates revenue primarily through the sale of motor fuel and convenience merchandise. The company leverages its strategic locations, often adjacent to Walmart stores, to attract high volumes of customer traffic, which leads to significant fuel sales. Additionally, Murphy USA offers a variety of convenience store products, including snacks, beverages, tobacco products, and other general merchandise, which contribute to its revenue streams. The company also benefits from partnerships with major oil companies for fuel supply, enabling it to offer competitive pricing. Ancillary services such as car washes at select locations also add to the company's earnings.

Murphy USA Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 30, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: -11.16%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 22, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflects a mixed performance with resilient fuel margins and successful cost management as key positives, while facing challenges in fuel volumes and merchandising contribution. The long-term store growth pipeline and loyalty program improvements provide optimism, but immediate pressures in fuel volumes and merchandising contribution temper the overall outlook.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Resilient Retail Fuel Margins
Retail fuel margins proved resilient, showing an 80 basis point improvement year-to-date, with an additional 13 basis points from lower credit card fees.
Growth in Noncombustible Nicotine
Noncombustible nicotine categories are growing at a rate that offsets the decline in cigarette margins, with only 30% of total nicotine margin contribution.
Increase in Loyalty and Merchandise Transactions
MDR saw a 31% increase in new loyalty enrollments and an 11% increase in merchandise transactions.
Promising New Store Pipeline
The company is on track to open 50 stores over the next 12 months, with individual store performance above expectations.
Cost Management Success
Store operating expenses and home office costs are trending below the low end of the guided range, with improvements in overtime, labor rates, loss prevention, and maintenance.
Negative Updates
Decline in Same-Store Fuel Volumes
Second quarter same-store fuel volumes were down 3.2% amid modest pressure on customer traffic.
Merchandising Contribution Pressure
Merchandising contribution margin is expected to be towards the low end of the guided range due to headwinds from cigarettes and lottery.
Challenges in QuickChek Performance
Older nonfuel QuickChek stores have been impacted by QSR value wars, with food and beverage margins hampered by cost inflation.
Fuel Volume and Store Growth Lag
First half fuel volumes were down 3% on an average per store month basis, and fewer store months have contributed to a $20 million shortfall against expectations for 2028.
Company Guidance
During the Murphy USA Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the company provided guidance on several key metrics for the year. Fuel volumes in the first half of the year were down 3% on an average per store month basis, with expectations for the second half to potentially fall below the low end of the annual guided range of 240,000 to 245,000. Merchandise contribution margin is expected to be within, but toward the low end of the guided range of $855 million to $875 million due to headwinds from cigarettes and lottery. Operational improvements have led to store operating expenses being at or below the low end of the guided range of $36,500 to $37,000 per store month. Corporate SG&A expenses are trending below the low end of the guided range of $245 million to $255 million. The effective tax rate for the first half was 22%, with an expected full-year tax rate at or slightly below the low end of the 24% to 26% guidance range. The company plans to open around 40 new stores in 2025, with a capital expenditure plan remaining within the guided range of $450 million to $500 million. Additionally, Murphy USA has repurchased nearly 900,000 shares year-to-date, emphasizing its commitment to shareholder value creation.

Murphy USA Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Murphy USA shows robust financial health with strong profitability and cash flow generation. Despite high leverage indicated by a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.45, the company maintains solid profitability with a Net Profit Margin of 2.46% and Return on Equity of 68.05%. The company's operational efficiency and cash flow metrics are commendable, though revenue growth has slightly declined.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Murphy USA has shown a stable financial performance with a Gross Profit Margin of 11.61% and a Net Profit Margin of 2.46% for TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months). The company has maintained a consistent EBIT Margin of 3.64% and EBITDA Margin of 4.95%. While experiencing a slight decline in revenue growth compared to previous years, the company remains profitable, indicating strong operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The company's Debt-to-Equity Ratio stands at 3.45, indicating significant leverage, which could pose risks if not managed properly. However, Murphy USA has a reasonable Equity Ratio of 15.98%, demonstrating a solid capital structure. Return on Equity (ROE) is 68.05%, showcasing strong profitability relative to shareholder investments.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
Murphy USA's cash flow performance is commendable, with an Operating Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio of 1.72 and a Free Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio of 0.76. Although Free Cash Flow Growth Rate is negative, the company maintains healthy cash flow metrics, ensuring adequate liquidity to support operations and investments.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue19.48B20.24B21.53B23.45B17.36B11.26B
Gross Profit1.97B2.31B2.31B2.40B1.85B1.44B
EBITDA889.20M996.70M1.07B1.19B820.30M722.70M
Net Income490.50M502.50M556.80M672.90M396.90M386.10M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets4.62B4.54B4.34B4.12B4.05B2.69B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments54.10M47.00M124.90M78.40M256.40M163.60M
Total Debt2.59B2.37B2.27B2.27B2.24B1.14B
Total Liabilities3.98B3.70B3.51B3.48B3.24B1.90B
Stockholders Equity646.10M840.10M828.90M640.70M807.20M784.10M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow264.40M389.50M448.40M689.40M462.70M333.00M
Operating Cash Flow616.10M847.60M784.00M994.70M737.40M563.70M
Investing Cash Flow-460.70M-445.80M-323.60M-319.30M-914.20M-224.30M
Financing Cash Flow-399.40M-472.60M-403.10M-871.30M269.60M-456.10M

Murphy USA Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price362.48
Price Trends
50DMA
419.79
Negative
100DMA
446.24
Negative
200DMA
472.85
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-6.03
Positive
RSI
25.92
Positive
STOCH
4.77
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For MUSA, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 362.48 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 419.65, below the 50-day MA of 419.79, and below the 200-day MA of 472.85, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -6.03 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 25.92 is Positive, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 4.77 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for MUSA.

Murphy USA Risk Analysis

Murphy USA disclosed 33 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Murphy USA reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Murphy USA Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$19.41B35.6616.75%0.39%7.25%9.12%
74
Outperform
$15.04B40.2776.24%7.64%369.79%
72
Outperform
$3.58B9.9220.14%0.92%-3.57%-17.43%
64
Neutral
$508.24M187.392.45%2.86%-9.67%-89.84%
62
Neutral
C$5.20B8.2620.23%3.77%3.13%8.63%
59
Neutral
$8.11B17.3067.31%0.53%-7.95%-2.60%
47
Neutral
$3.40B59.62-23.77%1.88%-16.55%-941.57%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
MUSA
Murphy USA
362.48
-150.40
-29.32%
AAP
Advance Auto Parts
53.07
-7.57
-12.48%
CASY
Casey's General
520.13
137.97
36.10%
CHWY
Chewy
36.70
13.45
57.85%
ARKO
ARKO Corp
4.17
-2.11
-33.60%
ASO
Academy Sports and Outdoors
50.79
-0.14
-0.27%

Murphy USA Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Murphy USA Releases Q2 Operational Update
Neutral
Jun 16, 2025

On June 16, 2025, Murphy USA released an operational update ahead of its participation in two investor conferences. The update highlighted second quarter-to-date metrics, revealing a slight increase in total fuel volumes and merchandise sales, despite a decline in same-store sales for nicotine and non-nicotine products. The company also reported a rise in operating expenses and announced the construction of 22 new stores and 18 rebuilds, indicating ongoing expansion efforts.

The most recent analyst rating on (MUSA) stock is a Hold with a $540.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Murphy USA stock, see the MUSA Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesDividends
Murphy USA Appoints David C. Haley to Board
Positive
May 1, 2025

On May 1, 2025, Murphy USA announced the appointment of David C. Haley to its Board of Directors, where he will serve on the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Audit Committee as a Class II Director until 2027. Additionally, Murphy USA declared a 2% increase in its quarterly cash dividend, setting it at $0.50 per share, payable on June 2, 2025, to stockholders of record as of May 12, 2025.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 01, 2025