Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU) Short Interest Update

Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU - Get Free Report) TSE: SU saw a large increase in short interest during the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 43,060,000 shares, an increase of 318.5% from the January 31st total of 10,290,000 shares. Currently, 3.4% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 4,470,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 9.6 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Cibc World Mkts raised shares of Suncor Energy from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 11th. Desjardins raised shares of Suncor Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. Morgan Stanley cut shares of Suncor Energy from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, December 16th. StockNews.com lowered Suncor Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. Finally, Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. upgraded Suncor Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, February 10th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Suncor Energy currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $58.00.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Suncor Energy

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Suncor Energy by 62.1% in 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 in the last quarter. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in Suncor Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. acquired a new position in Suncor Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Suncor Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd increased its position in shares of Suncor Energy by 30.5% during the 4th quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,095 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 256 shares during the last quarter. 67.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Suncor Energy Stock Down 5.6 %

Shares of Suncor Energy stock traded down $2.14 during trading on Monday, reaching $36.14. The stock had a trading volume of 9,473,225 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,510,309. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The company has a market capitalization of $44.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.50, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 1.12. Suncor Energy has a 52 week low of $34.12 and a 52 week high of $41.94. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $38.28 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $38.60.

Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU - Get Free Report) TSE: SU last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.89 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.82 by $0.07. Suncor Energy had a return on equity of 15.37% and a net margin of 11.80%. Sell-side analysts predict that Suncor Energy will post 3.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Suncor Energy Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.399 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.42%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 4th. Suncor Energy's payout ratio is 45.22%.

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.