Murphy USA Reports Strong Q1 Earnings Exceeding Expectations
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 3 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy MUSA?
Source: seekingalpha
Murphy USA's stock rose by 9.76% as it reached a 52-week high, reflecting strong investor confidence.
The company reported a Q1 GAAP EPS of $7.28, exceeding expectations by $1.95, and revenues of $4.82 billion, surpassing market expectations by $120 million. This robust performance highlights the company's profitability and growth in market share, despite broader market volatility due to the Iran conflict.
Murphy USA's strong earnings and positive future outlook, including a target of $1.2 billion in EBITDA by 2028, indicate its resilience and strategic growth initiatives, further enhancing investor confidence.
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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: 588.000
Low
340.00
Averages
409.50
High
463.00
Current: 588.000
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.
- Earnings Beat: Murphy USA reported Q1 GAAP EPS of $7.28, exceeding estimates by $1.95, with revenue rising 6.4% YoY to $4.82B, surpassing expectations by $120M, indicating robust performance in the fuel market.
- Net Income Surge: The company's net income jumped to $136.3M from $53.2M a year ago, driven by stronger fuel profits, with total fuel contribution increasing from 25.4 cents to 35 cents per gallon and retail fuel volumes rising by 2.1%.
- Shareholder Returns: During the quarter, the company repurchased $70.9M worth of shares and paid $11.7M in dividends, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing shareholder value while reflecting strong cash flow.
- Expansion Plans: Murphy USA plans to open 45-55 new stores in 2026, with 18 already under construction, indicating a strategic focus on expanding market share while maintaining strict cost management.
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- Business Rebranding: Murphy USA is rebranding its PS&W and RINs business as fuel supply, aiming to enhance market recognition and strengthen customer trust and loyalty through a simplified business name.
- Performance Outlook: While management expects 2026 performance to exceed existing plans, they refrained from updating guidance due to excessive market volatility, reflecting a cautious stance towards future uncertainties.
- Capital Allocation Priorities: Management emphasized that the first call on capital will be for growth CapEx, with plans to build 45 to 55 new sites in 2026, while also balancing moderate share repurchases to align growth with shareholder returns.
- Customer Loyalty Growth: The Murphy Drive Rewards program saw approximately 600,000 new sign-ups, marking the highest monthly total since 2022, indicating significant progress in enhancing customer loyalty and market share.
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- Strong Earnings Performance: Murphy USA reported a Q1 GAAP EPS of $7.28, beating expectations by $1.95, which highlights the company's robust profitability and enhances investor confidence in its financial health.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenues of $4.82 billion in Q1, reflecting a 6.4% year-over-year increase and surpassing market expectations by $120 million, indicating sustained growth in its retail operations and an increase in market share.
- Positive Future Outlook: Murphy USA outlines a path to achieve $1.2 billion in EBITDA by 2028, driven by disciplined store expansion and proactive cost management, demonstrating confidence in its strategic growth initiatives.
- Strong Market Reaction: Despite market volatility due to the Iran conflict, Murphy USA's financial performance remains strong, showcasing its resilience and adaptability in uncertain environments.
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- Earnings Release Date: Murphy USA is set to announce its Q1 earnings on April 29 after market close, with consensus EPS estimate at $5.50 and revenue expected at $4.7 billion, reflecting a 3.8% year-over-year growth, which will provide crucial insights into the company's financial outlook.
- Historical Performance Review: Over the past year, Murphy USA has beaten EPS estimates 75% of the time, indicating strong profitability, while failing to meet revenue expectations, highlighting a dual challenge of maintaining earnings stability amidst revenue growth issues.
- Estimate Revision Dynamics: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen five upward revisions with no downward adjustments, indicating increased analyst confidence in profitability; however, revenue estimates faced three upward and four downward revisions, reflecting market caution regarding revenue growth.
- EBITDA Target: Murphy USA aims to achieve $1.2 billion in EBITDA by 2028 through disciplined store expansion and proactive cost management, which, if realized, will significantly enhance the company's financial health and competitive positioning in the market.
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- Earnings Announcement Schedule: Murphy USA will announce its Q1 2026 financial results after market close on April 29, 2026, followed by pre-recorded management remarks and a live Q&A session on April 30, 2026, enhancing investor communication.
- Investor Relations Access: The management remarks will be available on the Investor Relations section of Murphy USA's website, ensuring all investors can easily access information, thereby improving transparency and trust.
- Conference Call Access: For investors unable to join the webcast, Murphy USA offers a conference call option by dialing (833) 461-5787 and entering conference ID 497864854, ensuring all stakeholders can participate in discussions.
- Company Overview: Murphy USA is a leading retailer of gasoline and convenience merchandise with over 1,750 stores across 27 states, serving approximately two million customers daily, showcasing its strong market presence and extensive coverage.
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