Suncor Energy Target of Unusually Large Options Trading (NYSE:SU)

Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU) (TSE:SU) was the target of unusually large options trading on Wednesday. Stock traders bought 28,315 put options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 2,998% compared to the average daily volume of 914 put options.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of SU. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Suncor Energy by 62.1% during the 4th quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 848 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 325 shares during the period. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. lifted its position in Suncor Energy by 97.6% during the first quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 820 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 405 shares during the period. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Suncor Energy in the fourth quarter worth approximately $35,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. bought a new stake in Suncor Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Suncor Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $39,000. 67.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Suncor Energy Stock Up 1.5 %

Shares of NYSE SU opened at $33.79 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $41.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.79, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $36.89 and its 200 day moving average is $37.90. Suncor Energy has a 52 week low of $30.79 and a 52 week high of $41.95.

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

Suncor Energy Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 4th were given a dividend of $0.399 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.72%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 4th. Suncor Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 45.51%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have commented on SU shares. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Suncor Energy in a report on Wednesday, February 26th. They issued a “neutral” rating for the company. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. raised Suncor Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Cibc World Mkts upgraded Suncor Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Scotiabank upgraded Suncor Energy to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 19th. Finally, Tudor Pickering upgraded Suncor Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, February 10th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Suncor Energy presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $59.20.

About Suncor Energy

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.