Murphy USA Inc. benefits from rising gasoline prices amid market decline
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 01 2026
0mins
Should l Buy MUSA?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Murphy USA Inc. shares rose by 3.00% as the stock reached a 20-day high, despite a broader market decline with the Nasdaq-100 down 0.84% and the S&P 500 down 1.06%.
The increase in Murphy USA's stock price is attributed to the surge in gasoline prices, which reached an average of $3.320 per gallon, marking an 11.3% increase from the previous week. This price hike is driven by rising oil prices, which surpassed $90 per barrel, reflecting escalating tensions in Iran and impacting the overall market sentiment negatively.
The implications of this price movement suggest that Murphy USA is well-positioned to benefit from the rising gasoline prices, even as the broader market faces challenges. Investors may view this as a positive sign for the company's revenue potential in the current economic climate.
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Analyst Views on MUSA
Wall Street analysts forecast MUSA stock price to fall
4 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
2 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 435.390
Low
340.00
Averages
409.50
High
463.00
Current: 435.390
Low
340.00
Averages
409.50
High
463.00
About MUSA
Murphy USA Inc. is a retailer of gasoline and convenience merchandise with more than 1,760 stores located primarily in the Southwest, Southeast, Midwest and Northeast United States. The Company has one operating segment, which is Marketing. The Marketing segment includes its retail marketing stores and product supply and wholesale assets. The majority of its existing and new-to-industry (NTI) retail gasoline stores operate under the brand names of Murphy USA and Murphy Express. The majority of Murphy USA's stores are located in proximity to Walmart Supercenters. The Company also markets gasoline and other products at standalone stores under the Murphy Express and QuickChek brands. The Company has a network of retail gasoline and convenience stores in approximately 27 states. In addition, it markets fuel to unbranded wholesale customers through a mixture of Company-owned and third-party product distribution terminals and pipeline positions.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Iran War Triggers Extreme Oil Price Volatility
- Extreme Oil Price Volatility: WTI crude futures surged to $119 per barrel due to fears of a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, but plummeted nearly 30% within 48 hours after President Trump declared the campaign 'pretty well complete', highlighting market sensitivity to supply disruptions.
- Saudi Transport Adjustments: Saudi Aramco confirmed it has rerouted crude shipments through the East-West pipeline to the Red Sea in response to the conflict, ensuring stable supply for customers and reflecting its critical role in the global energy market amid geopolitical tensions.
- Rising Retail Gas Prices: Despite a 30% drop in crude oil and an 18% decline in wholesale gasoline prices, U.S. retail gasoline prices continue to rise, with the AAA national average reaching $3.539 per gallon, up 43 cents from a week ago, indicating a lagging response of retail markets to wholesale price fluctuations.
- Refiners Benefit: Amid falling oil prices, shares of refiners Valero, Marathon, and Phillips rose by 1.7%, 1.9%, and 1% respectively, as elevated retail prices allow refiners to capture additional margins, demonstrating the disconnect between wholesale price drops and retail price stability.
See More
Oil Prices Surpass $90, Gasoline Prices Surge
- Oil Price Milestone: As of October 2023, West Texas Intermediate crude has surged above $90 per barrel for the first time, directly influencing rising gasoline prices in the U.S. and reflecting a sharp increase in global crude benchmarks due to escalating tensions in Iran.
- Gasoline Price Surge: According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average gasoline price reached $3.320 per gallon on March 6, marking an 11.3% increase from $2.982 just a week earlier, representing one of the sharpest price hikes in recent years.
- Diesel Price Spike: Diesel, essential for freight transport and agriculture, saw a 15.3% increase in just one week, reaching $4.330 per gallon, indicating a rapid rise in crude input costs for refiners amid the ongoing crisis.
- California's High Prices: As of March 6, California's average gasoline price stands at $4.905 per gallon, significantly above the national average, with some cities like San Rafael exceeding the $5 mark, which historically correlates with reduced driving demand.
See More
U.S. Stocks Plunge as Weak Jobs Report Fuels Stagflation Fears
- Weak Jobs Data: February's nonfarm payrolls fell by 92,000, significantly below the expected growth of 59,000, raising the unemployment rate to 4.4%, which complicates the Federal Reserve's position as oil-driven inflation may hinder rate cuts despite a softening labor market.
- Surging Oil Prices: Oil prices jumped 12% to $91 a barrel due to escalating tensions with Iran, reaching the highest level since October 2023, and marking a nearly 35% increase for the week, setting a record for the largest weekly gain in commodity trading history.
- Broad Market Decline: Every major index declined, with the S&P 500 falling 1% to 6,760, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping about 600 points, and the Nasdaq 100 decreasing by 0.67%, reflecting growing concerns over the economic outlook.
- Safe-Haven Assets Rise: As risk appetite deteriorated, gold prices climbed to $5,144.01 per ounce, indicating increased demand for safe assets, while Bitcoin fell 4% to $68,285.20, highlighting the worsening risk sentiment.
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Murphy USA Executive Sells Shares Amid Market Challenges
- Executive Stock Sale: Keith A. Emery, Senior Vice President of Fuels at Murphy USA, sold 899 shares on February 26, 2026, for approximately $344,000 at around $382.53 per share, leaving him with no direct or indirect shares, indicating a cautious outlook on the company's future.
- Declining Performance: In 2025, Murphy USA experienced its first annual stock price decline since 2018, falling nearly 20%, highlighting the pressures the company faces in a competitive market that could affect its future investment appeal.
- Management Changes: Mindy West took over as CEO on January 1, 2026, following the retirement of Andrew Clyde, reflecting the company's determination to revitalize its business after layoffs and leadership transitions.
- Earnings Beat Expectations: Despite challenges, Murphy USA reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $7.53 for Q4 FY 2025 on February 4, 2026, exceeding the $6.96 estimate, indicating that the company still possesses some profitability amid strategic adjustments.
See More
Murphy USA Executive Sells Shares, Ownership Reduced to Zero
- Executive Stock Sale: On February 26, 2026, Keith A. Emery, Senior Vice President of Fuels at Murphy USA, sold 899 shares of common stock in an open-market transaction valued at approximately $344,000, indicating a complete disposition of his direct holdings, reducing his ownership to zero.
- Impact Analysis: Following this transaction, Emery's direct and indirect stock holdings in Murphy USA are now zero, suggesting a potential loss of confidence in the company's future, which investors should monitor for implications on corporate governance.
- Company Financial Overview: Murphy USA reported a total revenue of $17.02 billion and a net income of $470.6 million for 2025, despite a 15.48% decline in stock price over the past year, highlighting the need for ongoing scrutiny of its profitability and market competitiveness.
- Competitive Market Pressure: With increasing competition in the market, Murphy USA faces heightened pricing pressures, particularly regarding fuel quality and affordability, which could impact its market appeal and long-term growth potential.
See More
Murphy USA to Participate in Investor Conference
- Investor Conference Participation: Murphy USA Inc. announced its participation in the Raymond James 2026 Institutional Investors Conference on March 2, 2026, where CEO Mindy West will present at 9:15 a.m. Eastern Time, showcasing the company's future strategic direction.
- Live Webcast Availability: The live audio webcast of the presentation will be accessible on the company's website, ensuring that investors can receive real-time updates on the company's latest developments and strategic initiatives, thereby enhancing transparency and investor relations.
- 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 United States, serving approximately two million customers daily through its retail network.
- Employee and Market Position: With around 16,900 employees, Murphy USA ranks 231 among Fortune 500 companies, reflecting its strong competitive position in the retail market, particularly through its proximity to Walmart Supercenters.
See More
Iran War Triggers Extreme Oil Price Volatility
- Extreme Oil Price Volatility: WTI crude futures surged to $119 per barrel due to fears of a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, but plummeted nearly 30% within 48 hours after President Trump declared the campaign 'pretty well complete', highlighting market sensitivity to supply disruptions.
- Saudi Transport Adjustments: Saudi Aramco confirmed it has rerouted crude shipments through the East-West pipeline to the Red Sea in response to the conflict, ensuring stable supply for customers and reflecting its critical role in the global energy market amid geopolitical tensions.
- Rising Retail Gas Prices: Despite a 30% drop in crude oil and an 18% decline in wholesale gasoline prices, U.S. retail gasoline prices continue to rise, with the AAA national average reaching $3.539 per gallon, up 43 cents from a week ago, indicating a lagging response of retail markets to wholesale price fluctuations.
- Refiners Benefit: Amid falling oil prices, shares of refiners Valero, Marathon, and Phillips rose by 1.7%, 1.9%, and 1% respectively, as elevated retail prices allow refiners to capture additional margins, demonstrating the disconnect between wholesale price drops and retail price stability.
See More
Oil Prices Surpass $90, Gasoline Prices Surge
- Oil Price Milestone: As of October 2023, West Texas Intermediate crude has surged above $90 per barrel for the first time, directly influencing rising gasoline prices in the U.S. and reflecting a sharp increase in global crude benchmarks due to escalating tensions in Iran.
- Gasoline Price Surge: According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average gasoline price reached $3.320 per gallon on March 6, marking an 11.3% increase from $2.982 just a week earlier, representing one of the sharpest price hikes in recent years.
- Diesel Price Spike: Diesel, essential for freight transport and agriculture, saw a 15.3% increase in just one week, reaching $4.330 per gallon, indicating a rapid rise in crude input costs for refiners amid the ongoing crisis.
- California's High Prices: As of March 6, California's average gasoline price stands at $4.905 per gallon, significantly above the national average, with some cities like San Rafael exceeding the $5 mark, which historically correlates with reduced driving demand.
See More
U.S. Stocks Plunge as Weak Jobs Report Fuels Stagflation Fears
- Weak Jobs Data: February's nonfarm payrolls fell by 92,000, significantly below the expected growth of 59,000, raising the unemployment rate to 4.4%, which complicates the Federal Reserve's position as oil-driven inflation may hinder rate cuts despite a softening labor market.
- Surging Oil Prices: Oil prices jumped 12% to $91 a barrel due to escalating tensions with Iran, reaching the highest level since October 2023, and marking a nearly 35% increase for the week, setting a record for the largest weekly gain in commodity trading history.
- Broad Market Decline: Every major index declined, with the S&P 500 falling 1% to 6,760, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping about 600 points, and the Nasdaq 100 decreasing by 0.67%, reflecting growing concerns over the economic outlook.
- Safe-Haven Assets Rise: As risk appetite deteriorated, gold prices climbed to $5,144.01 per ounce, indicating increased demand for safe assets, while Bitcoin fell 4% to $68,285.20, highlighting the worsening risk sentiment.
See More
Murphy USA Executive Sells Shares Amid Market Challenges
- Executive Stock Sale: Keith A. Emery, Senior Vice President of Fuels at Murphy USA, sold 899 shares on February 26, 2026, for approximately $344,000 at around $382.53 per share, leaving him with no direct or indirect shares, indicating a cautious outlook on the company's future.
- Declining Performance: In 2025, Murphy USA experienced its first annual stock price decline since 2018, falling nearly 20%, highlighting the pressures the company faces in a competitive market that could affect its future investment appeal.
- Management Changes: Mindy West took over as CEO on January 1, 2026, following the retirement of Andrew Clyde, reflecting the company's determination to revitalize its business after layoffs and leadership transitions.
- Earnings Beat Expectations: Despite challenges, Murphy USA reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $7.53 for Q4 FY 2025 on February 4, 2026, exceeding the $6.96 estimate, indicating that the company still possesses some profitability amid strategic adjustments.
See More
Murphy USA Executive Sells Shares, Ownership Reduced to Zero
- Executive Stock Sale: On February 26, 2026, Keith A. Emery, Senior Vice President of Fuels at Murphy USA, sold 899 shares of common stock in an open-market transaction valued at approximately $344,000, indicating a complete disposition of his direct holdings, reducing his ownership to zero.
- Impact Analysis: Following this transaction, Emery's direct and indirect stock holdings in Murphy USA are now zero, suggesting a potential loss of confidence in the company's future, which investors should monitor for implications on corporate governance.
- Company Financial Overview: Murphy USA reported a total revenue of $17.02 billion and a net income of $470.6 million for 2025, despite a 15.48% decline in stock price over the past year, highlighting the need for ongoing scrutiny of its profitability and market competitiveness.
- Competitive Market Pressure: With increasing competition in the market, Murphy USA faces heightened pricing pressures, particularly regarding fuel quality and affordability, which could impact its market appeal and long-term growth potential.
See More
Murphy USA to Participate in Investor Conference
- Investor Conference Participation: Murphy USA Inc. announced its participation in the Raymond James 2026 Institutional Investors Conference on March 2, 2026, where CEO Mindy West will present at 9:15 a.m. Eastern Time, showcasing the company's future strategic direction.
- Live Webcast Availability: The live audio webcast of the presentation will be accessible on the company's website, ensuring that investors can receive real-time updates on the company's latest developments and strategic initiatives, thereby enhancing transparency and investor relations.
- 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 United States, serving approximately two million customers daily through its retail network.
- Employee and Market Position: With around 16,900 employees, Murphy USA ranks 231 among Fortune 500 companies, reflecting its strong competitive position in the retail market, particularly through its proximity to Walmart Supercenters.
See More
