Marathon Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: MPC) today reported a net loss of $242 million, or $(0.37) per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2021, compared with a net loss of $9.2 billion, or $(14.25) per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2020.
Adjusted net loss was $132 million, or $(0.20) per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2021, compared with an adjusted net loss of $106 million, or $(0.16) per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2020. First-quarter 2021 and first-quarter 2020 results include pre-tax charges of $70 million and $12.4 billion, respectively, as shown in the accompanying release tables.
“During the first quarter, our industry continued to struggle with effects of the pandemic,” said Michael J. Hennigan, president and chief executive officer. “With the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, we are beginning to see increases in global mobility and demand for transportation fuels. For the first time since the pandemic began our Refining and Marketing business generated positive adjusted EBITDA.
“We have also continued the strategic effort to reposition our company for long term success, both through the pending Speedway sale and our investments in renewables projects. The Speedway transaction is close to completion, and we reiterate our commitment to use proceeds from this transaction to strengthen the balance sheet and return capital to shareholders. Our Board of Directors approved the conversion of the Martinez refinery, and we are excited that, once permitting, engineering, and implementation are complete, Martinez will be one of the largest renewables facilities in the country.”
Results from Operations
As previously announced, on Aug. 2, 2020, MPC entered into a definitive agreement to sell Speedway to 7-Eleven, Inc. for $21 billion in cash. Consistent with the reporting from prior quarters:
- Speedway’s results are required to be presented separately as discontinued operations.
- The retained direct dealer business results are reported within the Refining & Marketing segment.
- As a result of the above, MPC no longer presents a separate Retail segment, which had previously included Speedway and the direct dealer business.
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (adjusted EBITDA) was $1.6 billion in the first quarter of 2021, compared with $1.9 billion for the first quarter of 2020. As detailed in the table below, adjusted EBITDA is shown for both continuing and discontinued operations. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations excludes refining planned turnaround costs and first-quarter 2021 winter storm effects.
Refining & Marketing (R&M)
As discussed above, R&M segment results include the results of the direct dealer business. Prior periods reflect this change in segment presentation.
R&M segment loss from operations was $598 million in the first quarter of 2021, compared with a loss of $497 million for the first quarter of 2020.
Segment adjusted EBITDA was $23 million in the first quarter of 2021, versus $305 million for the first quarter of 2020. Segment adjusted EBITDA excludes refining planned turnaround costs, which totaled $112 million in the first quarter of 2021 and $329 million in the first quarter of 2020. First-quarter 2021 segment adjusted EBITDA also excludes winter storm effects of $31 million. The decrease in R&M earnings was primarily due to lower throughput and narrower crude differentials, partially offset by reduced operating costs.
R&M margin was $10.16 per barrel for the first quarter of 2021, versus $11.86 for the first quarter of 2020. Crude capacity utilization was 83%, resulting in total throughput of 2.6 million barrels per day. Clean product yield was 85%.
Midstream
Midstream segment income from operations, which primarily reflects the results of MPLX LP (NYSE: MPLX), was $972 million in the first quarter of 2021, compared with $905 million for the first quarter of 2020.
Segment adjusted EBITDA was $1.3 billion in the first quarter of 2021, versus $1.3 billion for the first quarter of 2020. First-quarter 2021 segment adjusted EBITDA excludes winter storm effects of $16 million. Results for the quarter benefited from lower operating expenses and were offset by lower gathered and processed volumes.
Corporate and Items Not Allocated
Corporate expenses totaled $157 million in the first quarter of 2021, compared with $233 million in the first quarter of 2020.
In the first quarter of 2020, items not allocated to segments included net charges of $12.3 billion.
Speedway
The results of Speedway are required to be reported separately as discontinued operations. MPC ceased recording depreciation and amortization (D&A) for Speedway in August 2020. Therefore, first-quarter 2021 results reflect no D&A, as compared to $99 million of D&A in first-quarter 2020. Results for all periods presented also exclude any allocation of corporate costs to Speedway.
Speedway income from operations was $330 million in the first quarter of 2021, compared with $400 million for the first quarter of 2020. Speedway’s adjusted EBITDA was $332 million in the first quarter of 2021, versus $499 million for the first quarter of 2020. First-quarter 2021 results reflect lower fuel margins and lower fuel volumes, partially offset by higher merchandise sales compared to the prior year.
Speedway fuel margin was 25.67 cents per gallon in the first quarter of 2021, versus 35.40 cents per gallon in the first quarter of 2020. Same-store merchandise sales increased by 7.0% year-over-year and Speedway same-store gasoline sales volume decreased by 12.3% year-over-year, reflecting the impacts of the pandemic.
Discontinued operations for the first quarter of 2021 included $23 million of costs related to the separation of Speedway, compared with the first quarter of 2020 which included a $35 million lower of cost or market (LCM) inventory charge and $27 million of costs related to the Speedway separation.
Financial Position and Liquidity
As of March 31, 2021, the company had $734 million in cash and cash equivalents (excluding MPLX’s cash and cash equivalents of $24 million), $1.3 billion outstanding under its $5 billion five-year bank revolving credit facility, no borrowings outstanding under its $1 billion 364-day bank revolving credit facility, and no borrowings outstanding under its $750 million trade receivables securitization facility. The company had $1.7 billion of outstanding commercial paper borrowings as of March 31, 2021. MPC does not intend to have outstanding commercial paper borrowings in excess of available capacity under its bank revolving credit facilities.
The company repaid the $1.0 billion of 5.125% senior notes that matured in March 2021.
Strategic and Operations Update
The company is close to completion on the $21 billion sale of Speedway to 7-Eleven and expects to use proceeds from the sale to strengthen the balance sheet and return capital to shareholders.
MPC’s Board of Directors approved the conversion of the Martinez, California facility to a renewable diesel plant. The Martinez facility is expected to produce 17,000 barrels per day of renewable diesel by the second half of 2022, with pretreatment capabilities coming online in 2023. The facility is expected to be capable of producing 48,000 barrels per day by the end of 2023.
Consistent with MPC’s midstream strategy of developing long-haul pipelines and other logistics solutions, several projects advanced during the quarter, including the Wink to Webster crude oil pipeline, the Whistler natural gas pipeline, and the reversal of the Capline crude pipeline. Each of these projects includes minimum volume commitments from customers.
Conference Call
At 11:00 a.m. EDT today, MPC will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss the reported results and provide an update on company operations. Interested parties may listen by visiting MPC’s website at www.marathonpetroleum.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on the company’s website for two weeks. Financial information, including the earnings release and other investor-related material, will also be available online prior to the conference call and webcast at www.marathonpetroleum.com.
About Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) is a leading, integrated, downstream energy company headquartered in Findlay, Ohio. The company operates the nation’s largest refining system. MPC’s marketing system includes branded locations across the United States, including Marathon brand retail outlets. Speedway LLC, an MPC subsidiary, owns and operates retail convenience stores across the United States. MPC also owns the general partner and majority limited partner interest in MPLX LP, a midstream company that owns and operates gathering, processing, and fractionation assets, as well as crude oil and light product transportation and logistics infrastructure. More information is available at www.marathonpetroleum.com.
Investor Relations Contacts: (419) 421-2071
Kristina Kazarian, Vice President, Investor Relations
Brian Worthington, Manager, Investor Relations
Kenan Kinsey, Analyst, Investor Relations
Media Contact: (419) 421-3312
Jamal Kheiry, Manager, Communications
References to Earnings and Defined Terms
References to earnings mean net income attributable to MPC from the statements of income. Unless otherwise indicated, references to earnings and earnings per share are MPC’s share after excluding amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws regarding Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC). These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, expectations, estimates and projections concerning the business and operations, strategy and value creation plans of MPC. You can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “commitment,” “could,” “design,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “imply,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “opportunity,” “outlook,” “plan,” “policy,” “position,” “potential,” “predict,” “priority,” “project,” “proposition,” “prospective,” “pursue,” “seek,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “would,” “will” or other similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the company’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause MPC’s actual results to differ materially from those implied in the forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: the magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects, including travel restrictions, business and school closures, increased remote work, stay at home orders and other actions taken by individuals, government and the private sector to stem the spread of the virus, and the adverse impact thereof on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows; our ability to reduce capital and operating expenses; with respect to the planned sale of Speedway, the ability to successfully complete the sale within the expected timeframe, on the expected terms, or at all, based on numerous factors, including the failure to satisfy any of the conditions to the consummation of the planned transaction (including obtaining certain governmental or regulatory approvals on the proposed terms and schedule), the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the planned transaction; MPC’s ability to utilize the proceeds as anticipated; the risk that the dissynergy costs, costs of restructuring transactions and other costs incurred in connection with the planned transaction will exceed our estimates; and our ability to capture value and realize the other expected benefits from the associated ongoing supply relationship following consummation of the planned sale; the risk that the cost savings and any other synergies from our acquisitions may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the risk of further impairments; the ability to complete any divestitures on commercially reasonable terms and/or within the expected timeframe, and the effects of any such divestitures on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows; future levels of revenues, refining and marketing margins, operating costs, gasoline and distillate margins, merchandise margins, income from operations, net income and earnings per share; the regional, national and worldwide availability and pricing of refined products, crude oil, natural gas, NGLs and other feedstocks; consumer demand for refined products; disruptions in credit markets or changes to credit ratings; future levels of capital, environmental and maintenance expenditures; general and administrative and other expenses; the success or timing of completion of ongoing or anticipated capital or maintenance projects, including the conversion of the Martinez Refinery to a renewable fuels facility; the receipt of relevant third party and/or regulatory approvals; the reliability of processing units and other equipment; the successful realization of business strategies, growth opportunities and expected investment; share repurchase authorizations, including the timing and amounts of such repurchases; the adequacy of capital resources and liquidity, including availability, timing and amounts of free cash flow necessary to execute business plans, complete announced capital projects and to effect any share repurchases or to maintain or increase the dividend; the effect of restructuring or reorganization of business components, including those undertaken in connection with the planned sale of Speedway; the potential effects of judicial or other proceedings, including remedial actions involving removal and reclamation obligations under environmental regulations, on the business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows; continued or further volatility in and/or degradation of general economic, market, industry or business conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic (including any related government policies and actions), other infectious disease outbreaks, natural hazards, extreme weather events or otherwise; general economic, political or regulatory developments, including changes in governmental policies relating to refined petroleum products, crude oil, natural gas or NGLs, or taxation; non-payment or non-performance by our producers and other customers; compliance with federal and state environmental, economic, health and safety, energy and other policies, permitting and regulations; the effects of actions of third parties such as competitors, activist investors or federal, foreign, state or local regulatory authorities or plaintiffs in litigation; the impact of adverse market conditions or other similar risks to those identified herein affecting MPLX; and the factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in MPC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2020, and in Forms 10-Q and other filings, filed with the SEC. Copies of MPC’s Form 10-K, Forms 10-Q and other SEC filings are available on the SEC’s website, MPC’s website at https://www.marathonpetroleum.com/Investors/ or by contacting MPC’s Investor Relations office. Copies of MPLX’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, Forms 10-Q and other SEC filings are available on the SEC’s website, MPLX’s website at http://ir.mplx.com or by contacting MPLX’s Investor Relations office.
We have based our forward-looking statements on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and industry. We caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and you should not rely unduly on them, as they involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that we cannot predict. In addition, we have based many of these forward-looking statements on assumptions about future events that may prove to be inaccurate. While our management considers these assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, our actual results may differ materially from the future performance that we have expressed or forecast in our forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the applicable communication and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements except to the extent required by applicable law.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Management uses certain financial measures to evaluate our operating performance that are calculated and presented on the basis of methodologies other than in accordance with GAAP. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors and analysts to assess our ongoing financial performance because, when reconciled to their most comparable GAAP financial measures, they provide improved comparability between periods through the exclusion of certain items that we believe are not indicative of our core operating performance and that may obscure our underlying business results and trends. These measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP, and our calculations thereof may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The non-GAAP financial measures we use are as follows:
Adjusted Net Income Attributable to MPC
Adjusted net income attributable to MPC is defined as net income attributable to MPC excluding the items in the table below, along with their related income tax effect. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, we applied a combined federal and state statutory tax rate of 24% to the adjusted pre-tax loss for those periods. We have excluded these items because we believe that they are not indicative of our core operating performance and that their exclusion results in an important measure of our ongoing financial performance to better assess our underlying business results and trends.
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share
Adjusted diluted earnings per share is defined as adjusted net income attributable to MPC divided by the number of weighted-average shares outstanding in the applicable period, assuming dilution.
Adjusted EBITDA & Segment Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA and Segment Adjusted EBITDA represent earnings before net interest and other financial costs, income taxes, depreciation and amortization expense as well as adjustments to exclude refining turnaround costs, items not allocated to segment results and other items shown in the table below. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors and analysts to analyze and compare our operating performance between periods by excluding items that do not reflect the core operating results of our business or in the case of turnarounds, which provide benefits over multiple years. We also believe that excluding turnaround costs from this metric is useful for comparability to other companies as certain of our competitors defer these costs and amortize them between turnarounds. Adjusted EBITDA and Segment Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to segment income (loss) from operations, net income attributable to MPC, income before income taxes, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA and Segment Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
SOURCE Marathon Petroleum Corporation
