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

Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU - Get Free Report) TSE: SU was the target of unusually large options trading on Wednesday. Stock investors acquired 28,315 put options on the company. This represents an increase of approximately 2,998% compared to the typical daily volume of 914 put options.

Suncor Energy Stock Performance

NYSE:SU traded up $0.67 on Friday, reaching $34.48. 3,015,187 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,473,333. Suncor Energy has a 52 week low of $30.79 and a 52 week high of $41.95. The firm has a market cap of $42.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.00, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 1.33 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $36.67 and a 200-day simple moving average of $37.86.

Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU - Get Free Report) TSE: SU last released its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 15.37% and a net margin of 11.80%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Suncor Energy will post 3.42 earnings per share for the current year.

Suncor Energy Cuts Dividend

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

Institutional Trading of Suncor Energy

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 325 shares during the last quarter. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management grew its stake in shares of Suncor Energy by 143.5% during the first quarter. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management now owns 789 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 465 shares during the last quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Suncor Energy by 97.6% in the first quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 820 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 405 shares during the period. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Suncor Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new stake in Suncor Energy during the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.37% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Bank of America initiated coverage on Suncor Energy in a research note on Wednesday, February 26th. They issued a "neutral" rating for the company. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Suncor Energy to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 19th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $66.00 price target on shares of Suncor Energy in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Tudor Pickering raised shares of Suncor Energy from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, February 10th. Finally, Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. raised Suncor Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, February 10th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Suncor Energy presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $59.20.

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.