Virtu Financial LLC Makes New $239,000 Investment in Sunoco LP (NYSE:SUN)

Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Sunoco LP (NYSE:SUN - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 4,648 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $239,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in SUN. Independence Bank of Kentucky purchased a new position in Sunoco during the fourth quarter worth about $53,000. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its holdings in shares of Sunoco by 17.1% during the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 1,245 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $64,000 after buying an additional 182 shares during the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Sunoco by 93.3% during the 4th quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 1,633 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $84,000 after buying an additional 788 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP lifted its holdings in Sunoco by 90.6% in the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,723 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $95,000 after acquiring an additional 819 shares during the last quarter. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in Sunoco by 112.5% in the fourth quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 2,446 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $126,000 after acquiring an additional 1,295 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 24.29% of the company's stock.

Sunoco Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of SUN stock traded up $0.33 on Wednesday, hitting $59.11. The stock had a trading volume of 131,130 shares, compared to its average volume of 508,535. The company's 50 day moving average price is $57.65 and its 200-day moving average price is $54.60. Sunoco LP has a 1 year low of $49.45 and a 1 year high of $60.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.84, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 0.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.96 and a beta of 1.35.

Sunoco (NYSE:SUN - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The oil and gas company reported $0.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.48 by ($0.73). Sunoco had a return on equity of 22.52% and a net margin of 3.85%. Analysts anticipate that Sunoco LP will post 10.65 earnings per share for the current year.

Sunoco Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 7th were given a $0.8865 dividend. This represents a $3.55 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 7th. This is a boost from Sunoco's previous quarterly dividend of $0.88. Sunoco's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 53.64%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Barclays cut their target price on Sunoco from $62.00 to $61.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 28th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Sunoco from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Finally, Mizuho upped their target price on shares of Sunoco from $61.00 to $66.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $63.50.

Sunoco Profile

Sunoco LP, together with its subsidiaries, distributes and retails motor fuels in the United States. It operates through two segments: Fuel Distribution and Marketing, and All Other. The Fuel Distribution and Marketing segment purchases motor fuel, as well as other petroleum products, such as propane and lubricating oil from independent refiners and oil companies and supplies it to company-operated retail stores, independently operated commission agents, and retail stores, as well as other commercial customers, including unbranded retail stores, other fuel distributors, school districts, municipalities, and other industrial customers.