Suncor Energy Sees Unusually High Options Volume (NYSE:SU)

Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU) (TSE:SU) was the recipient of some unusual options trading activity on Wednesday. Traders acquired 28,315 put options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 2,998% compared to the average daily volume of 914 put options.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on SU shares. Desjardins upgraded shares of Suncor Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. StockNews.com upgraded Suncor Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $66.00 target price on shares of Suncor Energy in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Suncor Energy from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Suncor Energy currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $58.00.

Suncor Energy Trading Up 1.5 %

Shares of NYSE SU opened at $38.74 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. Suncor Energy has a twelve month low of $31.25 and a twelve month high of $41.94. The company’s fifty day moving average is $37.69 and its 200-day moving average is $38.54. The stock has a market cap of $48.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 1.12.

Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU) (TSE:SU) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.89 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.82 by $0.07. Suncor Energy had a return on equity of 15.67% and a net margin of 15.19%. Equities research analysts predict that Suncor Energy will post 3.7 EPS for the current year.

Suncor Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 24th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.4089 per share. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.22%. This is a boost from Suncor Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 3rd. Suncor Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 35.08%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Suncor Energy by 66.0% in the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 20,605 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $785,000 after purchasing an additional 8,194 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its holdings in Suncor Energy by 8.2% during the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 92,292 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $3,516,000 after purchasing an additional 7,015 shares during the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC bought a new position in Suncor Energy in the second quarter valued at $2,448,000. Aprio Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Suncor Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $215,000. Finally, Atomi Financial Group Inc. lifted its position in Suncor Energy by 3.2% during the 3rd quarter. Atomi Financial Group Inc. now owns 13,464 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $497,000 after buying an additional 416 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 67.37% of the company’s stock.

Suncor Energy Company Profile

Suncor Energy Inc operates as an integrated energy company in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; and Refining and Marketing segments. The Oil Sands segment explores, develops, and produces bitumen, synthetic crude oil, and related products.