Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU) Cut to "Hold" at StockNews.com

StockNews.com downgraded shares of Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU - Free Report) TSE: SU from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Thursday morning.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on SU. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Suncor Energy to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 19th. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. upgraded shares of Suncor Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, February 10th. 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. Tudor Pickering upgraded Suncor Energy from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, February 10th. Finally, Bank of America began coverage on shares of Suncor Energy in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. They issued a "neutral" rating on the stock. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $59.20.

Suncor Energy Stock Up 2.0 %

NYSE SU traded up $0.67 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $34.48. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,015,187 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,473,333. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $36.67 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $37.86. Suncor Energy has a 52 week low of $30.79 and a 52 week high of $41.95. The company has a market capitalization of $42.66 billion, a PE ratio of 10.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.79. 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 (NYSE:SU - Get Free Report) TSE: SU last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.89 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%. Research analysts anticipate that Suncor Energy will post 3.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Suncor Energy Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 4th were paid a $0.399 dividend. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.63%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 4th. Suncor Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 45.51%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of SU. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management grew its holdings in shares of Suncor Energy by 143.5% in the first quarter. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management now owns 789 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 465 shares during the last quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Suncor Energy by 97.6% during the 1st 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 in the last quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of 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 stake in Suncor Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Suncor Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Hedge funds and other 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.