MPC · 10-Q · 2026Q3 · Full report

Operating Expense Trends

Marathon Petroleum Corp · 2026-11-03 · Importance 23 · Surprise 22

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $237 million in the third quarter and $348 million in the first nine months of 2026 year over year. The quarterly increase included approximately $150 million of performance-based stock compensation and bonuses, along with higher legal and other costs. Year-to-date drivers included approximately $196 million of performance-based stock compensation and bonuses, $69 million of other employee costs, $28 million of bank service charges, $24 million of environmental expense, and higher legal and other costs.

Key facts

• Marathon Petroleum's third-quarter 2026 refining operating costs, excluding depreciation and amortization, increased $79 million, or $0.01 per barrel, largely due to higher employee costs, engineered projects during turnaround activity, and higher energy costs. source
• Marathon Petroleum's third-quarter 2026 distribution costs, excluding depreciation and amortization, increased $160 million, or $0.29 per barrel, reflecting higher fees due to volume and rate increases and higher third-party marine and transportation costs. source
• Marathon Petroleum's refining planned turnaround costs decreased $106 million, or $0.43 per barrel, in the third quarter of 2026 due to the scope and timing of turnaround activity. source
• Marathon Petroleum's refining operating costs, excluding depreciation and amortization, increased $251 million, or $0.29 per barrel, in the first nine months of 2026, largely due to increased major maintenance, engineered projects and employee costs, partly offset by lower energy costs. source
• Marathon Petroleum's distribution costs, excluding depreciation and amortization, increased $301 million, or $0.35 per barrel, in the first nine months of 2026, primarily reflecting rate increases and higher third-party transportation costs. source
• Marathon Petroleum's refining planned turnaround costs decreased $5 million, or $0.01 per barrel, in the first nine months of 2026 due to the scope and timing of turnaround activity. source
• Marathon Petroleum's third-quarter 2026 selling, general and administrative expenses increased $237 million, primarily due to approximately $150 million of higher incentive compensation and bonuses, as well as other costs including legal expense. source
• Marathon Petroleum's selling, general and administrative expenses increased $348 million in the first nine months of 2026, including approximately $196 million of higher incentive compensation and bonuses, $69 million of other employee-related costs, $28 million of bank service charges and $24 million of environmental expense. source