Murphy Oil Corp hits 20-day low amid market strength
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Nov 26 2024
0mins
Should l Buy MUR?
Source: Benzinga
Murphy Oil Corp's stock price fell by 3.01% today, hitting a 20-day low. This decline occurs despite the broader market's positive performance, with the Nasdaq-100 up 0.69% and the S&P 500 up 0.25%.
The drop in Murphy Oil's stock is attributed to sector rotation, as the company prepares for its Q4 2025 earnings release on January 29, 2026, and continues to develop its Hai Su Vang-2X well in Vietnam, which has shown promising production rates. The market's focus on other sectors may have contributed to the stock's decline despite overall market gains.
Investors are closely watching Murphy Oil's upcoming earnings report and its strategic developments in Vietnam, which could influence future stock performance. The company's commitment to transparency and investor communication is expected to bolster market confidence in the long run.
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Analyst Views on MUR
Wall Street analysts forecast MUR stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for MUR is 28.40 USD with a low forecast of 22.00 USD and a high forecast of 34.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
11 Analyst Rating
0 Buy
9 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 30.510
Low
22.00
Averages
28.40
High
34.00
Current: 30.510
Low
22.00
Averages
28.40
High
34.00
About MUR
Murphy Oil Corporation is a global oil and natural gas exploration and production company, with both onshore and offshore operations and properties. The Company produces crude oil and condensate (collectively, crude oil), natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs) primarily in the United States and Canada and explores for crude oil, natural gas and NGLs in targeted areas worldwide. In the United States, it produces crude oil, natural gas and NGLs primarily from fields in the Gulf of America and in the Eagle Ford Shale area of South Texas. In Canada, the Company holds working interests in Tupper Montney (100% working interest), Kaybob Duvernay and two non-operated offshore assets - the Hibernia and Terra Nova fields, located offshore Newfoundland and Labrador in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin. In Vietnam, the Company holds an interest in approximately 7.3 million gross acres, consisting of 65% working interest in Blocks 144 & 145, and a 40% interest in Block 15-1/05 and Block 15-2/17.
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.
Murphy Oil Corporation Q4 2025 Earnings Call Insights
- Production Exceeds Expectations: Murphy Oil's production for Q4 2025 and the full year surpassed guidance, particularly with some of the best-performing onshore wells in company history, demonstrating strong uptime at key offshore facilities.
- Significant Cost Control: Lease operating expenses decreased by 20% year-over-year, and capital expenditures were below guidance, partly due to efficiency gains in the Eagle Ford Shale program, enhancing the company's financial flexibility.
- Strategic Investment Focus: In 2026, Murphy Oil plans to invest in development, exploration, and appraisal activities in the Gulf of America, Vietnam, and Côte d'Ivoire to grow its portfolio and enhance shareholder value in the mid- to long term.
- Solid Financial Position: The company maintains a low leverage ratio and over $2 billion in liquidity, allowing for disciplined investment in high-impact exploration and appraisal despite the unpredictable market environment.
See More
Murphy Oil Reports Strong 2025 Financial Highlights
- Production Growth: In 2025, Murphy Oil achieved an average production of 182 MBOEPD, up from 177 MBOEPD in 2024, indicating strong momentum in core business execution, which is expected to enhance market share further.
- Financial Performance: The company generated $1.2 billion in cash from continuing operations and approximately $300 million in free cash flow in 2025, with $286 million returned to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, reflecting a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
- Cost Management: The lease operating expense per BOE was $10.89 in 2025, a 20% reduction from the previous year, demonstrating significant achievements in cost control that will enhance overall profitability.
- Strategic Investment: Murphy's projected capital expenditures for 2026 range from $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion, focusing on development projects, which is expected to drive long-term value creation, particularly with the high-impact Chinook #8 development well.
See More
Murphy Oil Corporation Highlights Q4 2025 Financial Results
- Successful Reserve Appraisal: The successful appraisal at Hai Su Vang-2X in Vietnam revealed preliminary proved reserves of 715 MMBOE, maintaining an 11-year reserve life, which is expected to significantly support the company's growth over the next decade.
- Increased Shareholder Returns: The quarterly cash dividend for 2026 was raised by 8% to $0.35 per share, annualizing to $1.40, reflecting the company's strong cash flow and ongoing commitment to shareholder returns.
- Strong Financial Performance: Net income for 2025 reached $104.2 million, with adjusted EBITDA of $1.362 billion, showcasing significant improvements in oil and gas production and operational efficiency, thereby enhancing market confidence.
- New Market Expansion: Signed a petroleum agreement for Morocco, securing an operated working interest in the Gharb Deep Offshore block, further diversifying the company's exploration portfolio, reducing risk, and enhancing potential upside.
See More
Murphy Oil Reports Strong 2025 Performance and Strategic Outlook
- Production Growth: In 2025, Murphy Oil achieved an average production of 182 MBOEPD, up from 177 MBOEPD in 2024, indicating strong momentum in core business execution and expected to enhance market share further.
- Financial Performance: The company generated $1.2 billion in cash from continuing operations in 2025, returning approximately $286 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, reflecting robust financial management and shareholder return strategies.
- Capital Expenditure Control: Capital expenditures for 2025 totaled $1.157 billion, below the lower end of the guidance range, demonstrating efficient management in exploration and development activities, which is expected to lay the groundwork for future growth.
- Strategic Investment: Murphy secured a 75% working interest in a deepwater block in Morocco, marking its exploration footprint in a frontier basin, which is anticipated to bring long-term growth potential and value creation for the company.
See More
Murphy Oil Reports Strong Q4 2025 Financial Results and Strategic Growth Plans
- Net Income Growth: Murphy Oil reported a net income of $11.9 million for Q4 2025, reflecting a significant increase compared to the previous year, which enhances investor confidence in the company's performance in the oil and gas market.
- Increased Shareholder Returns: In 2025, Murphy returned $286 million to shareholders, including $100 million in share repurchases and $186 million in dividends, demonstrating the company's commitment to enhancing shareholder value and market attractiveness.
- Strong Liquidity Position: As of December 31, 2025, Murphy had approximately $1.6 billion in liquidity, primarily from $1.25 billion undrawn under its credit facility and $377 million in cash, ensuring financial flexibility for future investments and operations.
- Robust Reserve Replacement Rate: Murphy achieved a reserve replacement rate of 103% in 2025, with year-end proved reserves totaling 715 million barrels of oil equivalent, showcasing the company's strong capabilities in resource management and future growth potential.
See More
Murphy Oil to Announce Q4 Earnings on January 28
- Earnings Announcement: Murphy Oil Corporation (MUR) is set to release its Q4 2023 earnings report on January 28 after market close, with consensus EPS estimate at -$0.03 and revenue forecast at $637.88 million, reflecting a 4.9% year-over-year decline.
- Historical Performance: Over the past two years, Murphy Oil has surpassed EPS estimates 75% of the time and revenue estimates 75% of the time, indicating a degree of financial stability in its performance metrics.
- Estimate Revision Trends: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen two upward revisions and eleven downward revisions, while revenue estimates have experienced one upward revision and five downward revisions, suggesting a cautious market outlook on the company's future performance.
- Financing Activity: Recently, Murphy Oil issued $500 million in senior notes at a 6.500% interest rate due in 2034, likely aimed at bolstering liquidity to navigate future uncertainties.
See More
Murphy Oil Corporation Q4 2025 Earnings Call Insights
- Production Exceeds Expectations: Murphy Oil's production for Q4 2025 and the full year surpassed guidance, particularly with some of the best-performing onshore wells in company history, demonstrating strong uptime at key offshore facilities.
- Significant Cost Control: Lease operating expenses decreased by 20% year-over-year, and capital expenditures were below guidance, partly due to efficiency gains in the Eagle Ford Shale program, enhancing the company's financial flexibility.
- Strategic Investment Focus: In 2026, Murphy Oil plans to invest in development, exploration, and appraisal activities in the Gulf of America, Vietnam, and Côte d'Ivoire to grow its portfolio and enhance shareholder value in the mid- to long term.
- Solid Financial Position: The company maintains a low leverage ratio and over $2 billion in liquidity, allowing for disciplined investment in high-impact exploration and appraisal despite the unpredictable market environment.
See More
Murphy Oil Reports Strong 2025 Financial Highlights
- Production Growth: In 2025, Murphy Oil achieved an average production of 182 MBOEPD, up from 177 MBOEPD in 2024, indicating strong momentum in core business execution, which is expected to enhance market share further.
- Financial Performance: The company generated $1.2 billion in cash from continuing operations and approximately $300 million in free cash flow in 2025, with $286 million returned to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, reflecting a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
- Cost Management: The lease operating expense per BOE was $10.89 in 2025, a 20% reduction from the previous year, demonstrating significant achievements in cost control that will enhance overall profitability.
- Strategic Investment: Murphy's projected capital expenditures for 2026 range from $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion, focusing on development projects, which is expected to drive long-term value creation, particularly with the high-impact Chinook #8 development well.
See More
Murphy Oil Corporation Highlights Q4 2025 Financial Results
- Successful Reserve Appraisal: The successful appraisal at Hai Su Vang-2X in Vietnam revealed preliminary proved reserves of 715 MMBOE, maintaining an 11-year reserve life, which is expected to significantly support the company's growth over the next decade.
- Increased Shareholder Returns: The quarterly cash dividend for 2026 was raised by 8% to $0.35 per share, annualizing to $1.40, reflecting the company's strong cash flow and ongoing commitment to shareholder returns.
- Strong Financial Performance: Net income for 2025 reached $104.2 million, with adjusted EBITDA of $1.362 billion, showcasing significant improvements in oil and gas production and operational efficiency, thereby enhancing market confidence.
- New Market Expansion: Signed a petroleum agreement for Morocco, securing an operated working interest in the Gharb Deep Offshore block, further diversifying the company's exploration portfolio, reducing risk, and enhancing potential upside.
See More
Murphy Oil Reports Strong 2025 Performance and Strategic Outlook
- Production Growth: In 2025, Murphy Oil achieved an average production of 182 MBOEPD, up from 177 MBOEPD in 2024, indicating strong momentum in core business execution and expected to enhance market share further.
- Financial Performance: The company generated $1.2 billion in cash from continuing operations in 2025, returning approximately $286 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, reflecting robust financial management and shareholder return strategies.
- Capital Expenditure Control: Capital expenditures for 2025 totaled $1.157 billion, below the lower end of the guidance range, demonstrating efficient management in exploration and development activities, which is expected to lay the groundwork for future growth.
- Strategic Investment: Murphy secured a 75% working interest in a deepwater block in Morocco, marking its exploration footprint in a frontier basin, which is anticipated to bring long-term growth potential and value creation for the company.
See More
Murphy Oil Reports Strong Q4 2025 Financial Results and Strategic Growth Plans
- Net Income Growth: Murphy Oil reported a net income of $11.9 million for Q4 2025, reflecting a significant increase compared to the previous year, which enhances investor confidence in the company's performance in the oil and gas market.
- Increased Shareholder Returns: In 2025, Murphy returned $286 million to shareholders, including $100 million in share repurchases and $186 million in dividends, demonstrating the company's commitment to enhancing shareholder value and market attractiveness.
- Strong Liquidity Position: As of December 31, 2025, Murphy had approximately $1.6 billion in liquidity, primarily from $1.25 billion undrawn under its credit facility and $377 million in cash, ensuring financial flexibility for future investments and operations.
- Robust Reserve Replacement Rate: Murphy achieved a reserve replacement rate of 103% in 2025, with year-end proved reserves totaling 715 million barrels of oil equivalent, showcasing the company's strong capabilities in resource management and future growth potential.
See More
Murphy Oil to Announce Q4 Earnings on January 28
- Earnings Announcement: Murphy Oil Corporation (MUR) is set to release its Q4 2023 earnings report on January 28 after market close, with consensus EPS estimate at -$0.03 and revenue forecast at $637.88 million, reflecting a 4.9% year-over-year decline.
- Historical Performance: Over the past two years, Murphy Oil has surpassed EPS estimates 75% of the time and revenue estimates 75% of the time, indicating a degree of financial stability in its performance metrics.
- Estimate Revision Trends: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen two upward revisions and eleven downward revisions, while revenue estimates have experienced one upward revision and five downward revisions, suggesting a cautious market outlook on the company's future performance.
- Financing Activity: Recently, Murphy Oil issued $500 million in senior notes at a 6.500% interest rate due in 2034, likely aimed at bolstering liquidity to navigate future uncertainties.
See More
