Murphy USA Announces 29% Dividend Increase Amid Market Decline
Murphy USA Inc. shares fell 5.32% today as the stock crossed below its 5-day SMA, reflecting broader market weakness with the Nasdaq-100 down 0.44% and the S&P 500 down 0.10%.
The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.63 per share, marking a 29% increase from Q1 2025, which underscores its ongoing profitability and commitment to shareholder returns. The dividend is set to be paid on March 5, 2026, to shareholders of record as of February 23, 2026, enhancing investor confidence in the company's financial health.
Despite the stock's decline, the dividend increase may attract income-seeking investors, indicating that Murphy USA remains committed to delivering value to its shareholders even in a challenging market environment.
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- Quarterly Dividend Declaration: Murphy USA has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.63 per share, consistent with previous distributions, indicating the company's stable cash flow and shareholder return strategy, which is expected to bolster investor confidence.
- Dividend Yield: The forward yield of 0.65% reflects the company's robust performance in the current market environment, potentially attracting income-seeking investors looking for reliable returns.
- Dividend Payment Schedule: The dividend is payable on March 5, with a record date of February 23 and an ex-dividend date also on February 23, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns.
- Financial Performance Overview: In Q4 2025, Murphy USA reported a GAAP EPS of $7.53, beating expectations by $0.67, although revenue of $4.74 billion fell short by $100 million, highlighting strong profitability but raising concerns about revenue growth.
- Dividend Increase: Murphy USA has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.63 per share, translating to an annualized dividend of $2.52, which marks a 29% increase from Q1 2025, indicating the company's ongoing profitability and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Dividend Payment Date: The dividend is set to be paid on March 5, 2026, to shareholders of record as of February 23, 2026, ensuring timely returns for investors and bolstering investor confidence in the company's financial health.
- Company Overview: Murphy USA operates over 1,800 retail locations primarily in the Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast U.S., employing approximately 16,900 people and serving around two million customers daily, showcasing its extensive market reach and customer base.
- Market Position: Ranked 231st on the Fortune 500 list, Murphy USA's standing reflects its significant role in the retail fuel and convenience goods market, further solidifying its competitive advantage within the industry.
- Dividend Increase: Murphy USA has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.63 per share, translating to an annualized dividend of $2.52, which marks a 29% increase from Q1 2025, reflecting the company's ongoing profitability and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Payment Date: The dividend will be payable on March 5, 2026, to stockholders of record as of February 23, 2026, ensuring timely returns for investors and enhancing overall investor confidence in the company.
- Company Overview: Murphy USA is a leading retailer of gasoline and convenience merchandise with over 1,800 stores primarily located in the Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast, serving approximately two million customers daily, showcasing its strong market presence.
- Market Position: Ranked 231st among Fortune 500 companies, Murphy USA strengthens its competitive edge in the retail market through close partnerships with Walmart Supercenters and a diverse operation of standalone stores.
- Competitive Pressure Analysis: CEO Mindy West highlighted that competitive pressures are impacting same-store sales, particularly in Texas where both volumes and margins are higher, while states like Colorado and Florida are still stabilizing, indicating the complexity of market dynamics.
- Maintenance Investment Returns: The company anticipates saving $6 million to $8 million in maintenance costs by proactively investing in aging equipment, a strategy that not only reduces future equipment failure risks but also enhances operational efficiency, ensuring long-term cost control.
- EBITDA Target Outlook: West reiterated that achieving the $1.2 billion EBITDA target by 2028 relies on store expansion and fuel market normalization, with 50 new stores expected to contribute $35 million to $40 million in EBITDA, reflecting the company's confidence in future growth.
- Market Outlook and Strategy: The 2026 outlook emphasizes the timing and scale impacts of the new store program, with over 50 new stores expected annually, and West stated that as market conditions change, investors will be surprised by the business's earnings power, indicating growth potential in a competitive landscape.
- Earnings Beat: Murphy USA reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of $7.53, exceeding expectations by $0.67, indicating strong profitability that may boost investor confidence in the company's financial health.
- Revenue Miss: The Q4 revenue of $4.74 billion, while up 0.6% year-over-year, fell short of expectations by $100 million, reflecting increased market competition and sales pressure that could impact future growth strategies.
- Fuel Contribution Improvement: The total fuel contribution for Q4 2025 was 34.3 cents per gallon, up from 32.5 cents per gallon in Q4 2024, suggesting improvements in fuel pricing and cost control that could enhance overall profit margins.
- Retail Volume Fluctuations: Total retail gallons increased by 3.1% in Q4 2025, yet same-store sales volumes declined by 0.6%, indicating market demand volatility that may prompt the company to reassess its market strategies to adapt to changes.
- Stable Net Income: Murphy USA reported a net income of $141.9 million for Q4 2025, translating to $7.53 per diluted share, which remained nearly flat compared to Q4 2024, demonstrating the company's resilience amid market volatility.
- Fuel Contribution Growth: The total fuel contribution for Q4 2025 reached $423.6 million, an 8.9% increase from the previous year, primarily driven by improved retail fuel margins and higher sales volumes, reflecting the company's ability to maintain profitability in a competitive market.
- Merchandise Sales Performance: For the full year 2025, merchandise contribution totaled $869 million, up 4.2% year-over-year, indicating ongoing improvements in merchandise sales and unit margins, which enhance overall profitability.
- Share Buybacks and Dividends: The company repurchased approximately 1.5 million shares for a total of $652 million in 2025, while also declaring a quarterly cash dividend of $0.63 per share, an 18.9% increase from September 2025, underscoring its commitment to shareholder returns.






