In the following video, energy analyst Joel South discusses Marathon Petroleum (MPC 0.70%) and explains why he slated Marathon in the No. 5 spot for best energy stocks of 2012.
Marathon Petroleum's success starts with cheap access to crude from growing shale production throughout North America. However, the company's 90% share price appreciation also has to do with the way the company budgeted its excess cash flows. Besides making plans on taking over BP's (BP 1.58%) Texas City Refinery, and increasing its heavy oil capacity through its Detroit Heavy Oil project, the company significantly increased its dividend as well as deployed a large share repurchase program.
