Murphy USA announces $69.2M 3Q profit

— EL DORADO —Murphy USA announced third quarter profits of $69.2 million, up

more than $24 million from the third quarter of 2018 and beating analyst expectations for the El Dorado-based

company.

In a Thursday morning conference call,

Murphy USA President and CEO Andrew

Clyde discussed the company’s performance with a variety of financial analysts, calling the quarter “rewarding and fulfilling.”

“Murphy USA delivered, in my view, one of its best quarters since our 2013 spin as we demonstrated continued progress toward our longer-term goal of maximizing shareholder value through productivity improvements, high-performing new store growth, and balanced capital allocation,” Clyde

said.

The company reported an increase in the total number of retail gallons sold

and higher merchandise sales. Part of the merchandise sales bump was attributed to increased usage of the Murphy Drive Rewards (MDR) app, which Clyde said was something Murphy USA had its store associates

focus on.

“… Having them focused on MDR was the

top priority, and they knocked it out of the park,” he said. “Over 90% of MDR members say they learned about the program through their engagement with the sales

associate.”

Murphy USA also repurchased 1.2 million common shares in Q3 for $109 million. The company plans on repurchasing $400 million in shares, a goal “accelerated,” according to Clyde, by a balance sheet refinanced

in Q3.

“We’re going to be as savvy as we can, and try not to get too cute or too smart

about our buyback,” he said. “But certainly, wanted to get out in front of the $400 million program the board authorized. And we’ll come back in

February and report on what we did in Q4. But balance sheet — the capacity on

the balance sheet allows us to do as much as we want, whenever we want to do that. That’s not a limiting

factor.”

In a press release, the company noted that 21 stores are under construction — 11

are new stores, and 10 are

kiosks that will be torn down and rebuilt

into new, 1,400 square-foot stores. Murphy USA opened five new retail

locations in Q3, bringing the store count to 1,479 — 1,160 are Murphy USA sites and 319 are Murphy Express

sites.

Between Monday and Friday, Murphy USA shares rose from $92.68 to $113.57.

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