The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Murphy Oil, Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P., Valero Energy, Marathon Oil and Hess

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – October 10, 2011 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Murphy Oil Corporation (MUR - Analyst Report), Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P. (CLMT - Snapshot Report), Valero Energy Corporation (VLO - Analyst Report), Marathon Oil Corporation (MRO - Analyst Report) and Hess Corporation (HES - Analyst Report).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:

Murphy Disposes U.S. Refinery Biz

Murphy Oil Corporation (MUR - Analyst Report) said its subsidiary, Murphy Oil USA, Inc., has completed the sale of The Superior Refinery to Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P. (CLMT - Snapshot Report) for $214 million plus hydrocarbon inventories valued at $220 million, which are subject to certain adjustments.

Murphy's Superior refinery produces gasoline, diesel, asphalt, bunker fuel and specialty petroleum products that are marketed in the Midwest region of the United States, including the surrounding border states, and Canada.

Calumet Specialty Products Partners will finance the deal via issuance of $193 million of Calumet's common units and general partner units and approximately $180 million of Calumet's senior unsecured notes due 2019 and with borrowings of approximately $69 million under Calumet's revolving credit facility.

The company has also sold off its Meraux Refinery to a subsidiary of Valero Energy Corporation (VLO - Analyst Report) for a sales price of $325 million plus the value of hydrocarbon inventory costing $260 million, subject to certain other adjustments.

We believe Murphy has been executing well on its plan to divest the U.S. and U.K. downstream business. As per the strategy, the company has divested both the Superior and Meraux refineries. The company has plans in place to split its U.K. assets, and has a few buyers interested in its Milford Haven asset and the U.K. retail business.

The long-term objective of the company is to place more emphasis on its operational performance and has guided for higher production output of 173,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day for the third quarter of 2011.

Murphy retains a short-term Zacks #3 Rank which translates into a short-term Hold rating. The company competes with Marathon Oil Corporation (MRO - Analyst Report) and Hess Corporation (HES - Analyst Report).

Based in El Dorado, Arkansas, Murphy Oil Corporation engages in the exploration, production, refining and marketing of oil and gas in the U.S. and the U.K.

Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5515.

About Zacks Equity Research

Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5517

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leon Zacks. As a PhD from MIT Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5518.

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch

Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts

Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
http://www.zacks.com

Read the full analyst report on MUR

Read the full analyst report on CLMT

Read the full analyst report on VLO

Read the full analyst report on MRO

Read the full analyst report on HES