Aug 5 (Reuters) - Refiner Marathon Petroleum

beat Wall Street estimates for second-quarter profit on Tuesday,

helped by higher refining margins.

Top U.S. refiners were expected to post higher

second-quarter profits, rebounding from first-quarter losses as

stronger-than-expected diesel margins lifted earnings. The

improved margins helped peers such as Valero Energy ( VLO ) also

surpass Wall Street estimates.

Fuel makers have seen an unexpected boost in profits from

key products in recent months, offering relief after earnings

retreated from 2022 highs driven by a post-pandemic recovery in

demand and supply disruptions following Russia's invasion of

Ukraine.

The company's refining and marketing margin per barrel was

up at $17.58 in the quarter, compared with $17.53 from a year

earlier.

The company reported adjusted profit of $3.96 per share for

the three months ended June 30, compared with analysts' average

estimate of $3.29 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.