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

Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU - Get Free Report) TSE: SU saw some unusual options trading activity on Wednesday. Investors bought 28,315 put options on the company. This is an increase of approximately 2,998% compared to the average daily volume of 914 put options.

Suncor Energy Stock Performance

SU traded up $0.29 during trading on Friday, hitting $38.73. The stock had a trading volume of 6,711,952 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,417,325. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 1.59 and a quick ratio of 1.04. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $37.63 and a 200-day moving average price of $38.55. Suncor Energy has a one year low of $31.25 and a one year high of $41.94. The firm has a market cap of $48.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.23, a P/E/G ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 1.12.

Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU - Get Free Report) TSE: SU last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.82 by $0.07. Suncor Energy had a net margin of 11.80% and a return on equity of 15.33%. As a group, research analysts predict that Suncor Energy will post 3.25 EPS for the current year.

Suncor Energy Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 4th will be given a dividend of $0.399 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 4th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.12%. Suncor Energy's payout ratio is presently 46.67%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on SU shares. Desjardins raised shares of Suncor Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, November 14th. StockNews.com upgraded Suncor Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $66.00 target price on shares of Suncor Energy in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut Suncor Energy from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $58.00.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Suncor Energy

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Eastern Bank bought a new position in Suncor Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Suncor Energy by 62.1% in the fourth quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 848 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 325 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Suncor Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $39,000. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Suncor Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $45,000. Finally, Waldron Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Suncor Energy during the third quarter worth about $49,000. 67.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.