Murphy USA Q3 Earnings Beat as Margins Go Up, Sales Miss

Earnings Performance - Murphy USA Inc reported Q3 2024 EPS of $7 20 beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of$ 6 64 primarily due to higher fuel margins [1] - The company's operating revenues of $5 2 billion fell 9 6% YoY missing the consensus mark by$ 362 million [2] - Petroleum product sales were $4 1 billion down 11 5% YoY while merchandise sales rose 2 5% YoY to$ 1 1 billion [2] Fuel and Merchandise Contributions - Total fuel contribution fell 3 5% YoY to $404 2 million with retail fuel contribution increasing 13 5% YoY to$ 395 7 million [3][4] - Retail gallons edged up 2% YoY to 1 239 3 million beating the estimate of 1 213 8 million [4] - Merchandise contribution increased 2 4% to $216 8 million with SSS basis merchandise sales up 1 6% YoY [5] Balance Sheet and Share Buybacks - As of Sept 30 Murphy USA had cash and cash equivalents of$ 52 5 million and long-term debt of $1 8 billion with a debt-to-capitalization of 68 7% [7] - The company bought back shares worth$ 126 4 million during the quarter [7] Industry Comparison - Valero Energy reported Q3 2024 adjusted EPS of $1 14 missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of$ 1 29 due to lower refining throughput volumes [9] - Phillips 66 reported Q3 2024 adjusted EPS of $2 04 beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of$ 1 63 attributed to cost reduction and Midstream synergy targets [11] - Marathon Petroleum reported Q3 2024 adjusted EPS of $1 87 beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 97 cents driven by strong Refining & Marketing segment performance [13]