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

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

Institutional Trading of Suncor Energy

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Eastern Bank purchased a new position in Suncor Energy during the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Suncor Energy by 62.1% during the fourth quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 848 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 325 shares during the period. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in Suncor Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new position in Suncor Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Suncor Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Institutional investors own 67.37% of the company’s stock.

Suncor Energy Stock Up 0.0 %

Shares of NYSE:SU opened at $39.85 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. Suncor Energy has a 12 month low of $32.62 and a 12 month high of $41.94. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $37.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $38.63. The company has a market cap of $49.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.55, a PEG ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 1.12.

Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU) (TSE:SU) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.82 by $0.07. Suncor Energy had a net margin of 11.80% and a return on equity of 15.37%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Suncor Energy will post 3.42 earnings per share for the current year.

Suncor Energy Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 4th will be paid a dividend of $0.399 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.01%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 4th. Suncor Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 45.22%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on SU shares. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. upgraded Suncor Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, February 10th. 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 price objective on shares of Suncor Energy in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Desjardins upgraded Suncor Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. Finally, Cibc World Mkts upgraded Suncor Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Suncor Energy currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $58.00.

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.