Mplx Lp (NYSE:MPLX) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Mplx Lp (NYSE:MPLX) has received a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the seven ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $43.86.

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Barclays upped their price objective on Mplx from $40.00 to $43.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, April 5th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Mplx from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. StockNews.com raised Mplx from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Mplx from $44.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Mplx from $46.00 to $49.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday.

Mplx Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MPLX opened at $40.64 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $41.08 billion, a PE ratio of 10.67 and a beta of 1.35. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $40.03 and a 200-day moving average price of $37.63. Mplx has a 1-year low of $33.12 and a 1-year high of $42.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.52, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 1.01.

Mplx (NYSE:MPLX) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 30th. The pipeline company reported $1.10 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.95 by $0.15. Mplx had a net margin of 34.82% and a return on equity of 31.85%. The business had revenue of $2.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.88 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.78 EPS. Mplx’s revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that Mplx will post 4.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Mplx Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 14th. Investors of record on Monday, February 5th were issued a $0.85 dividend. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.37%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 2nd. Mplx’s payout ratio is 89.24%.

Institutional Trading of Mplx

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Cherry Creek Investment Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Mplx by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. Cherry Creek Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 12,784 shares of the pipeline company’s stock valued at $455,000 after acquiring an additional 277 shares during the period. Prospera Financial Services Inc grew its holdings in Mplx by 1.2% during the first quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 26,220 shares of the pipeline company’s stock valued at $903,000 after purchasing an additional 308 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its position in Mplx by 12.9% in the third quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 2,710 shares of the pipeline company’s stock worth $96,000 after buying an additional 310 shares in the last quarter. Avalon Trust Co raised its stake in shares of Mplx by 23.4% in the fourth quarter. Avalon Trust Co now owns 1,711 shares of the pipeline company’s stock worth $63,000 after buying an additional 324 shares during the period. Finally, Lee Financial Co lifted its position in shares of Mplx by 5.1% during the 3rd quarter. Lee Financial Co now owns 6,821 shares of the pipeline company’s stock valued at $243,000 after buying an additional 329 shares in the last quarter. 24.25% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Mplx Company Profile

MPLX LP owns and operates midstream energy infrastructure and logistics assets primarily in the United States. It operates in two segments, Logistics and Storage, and Gathering and Processing. The company is involved in the gathering, processing, and transportation of natural gas; gathering, transportation, fractionation, storage, and marketing of natural gas liquids; gathering, storage, transportation, and distribution of crude oil and refined products, as well as other hydrocarbon-based products and renewables; and sale of residue gas and condensate.