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

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have weighed in on SU shares. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Suncor Energy from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Monday, December 16th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Suncor Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday. Desjardins upgraded Suncor Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 14th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $66.00 price target on shares of Suncor Energy in a research report on Friday, December 20th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $58.00.

Suncor Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE SU traded down $0.02 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $35.16. 2,702,350 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,304,656. Suncor Energy has a twelve month low of $31.03 and a twelve month high of $41.94. 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 firm has a market cap of $44.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.66, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.11. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $38.37 and its 200-day moving average price is $38.49.

Suncor Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 24th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd were paid a $0.4089 dividend. This is a boost from Suncor Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 3rd. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.65%. Suncor Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 36.60%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Suncor Energy

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Cullen Investment Group LTD. lifted its position in Suncor Energy by 0.8% in the third quarter. Cullen Investment Group LTD. now owns 33,106 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $1,222,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the period. Richardson Financial Services Inc. boosted its stake in Suncor Energy by 82.8% during the second quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 724 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 328 shares in the last quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in Suncor Energy by 5.0% during the third quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 7,486 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $276,000 after acquiring an additional 354 shares during the period. X Square Capital LLC grew its holdings in Suncor Energy by 0.5% during the second quarter. X Square Capital LLC now owns 79,664 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $3,035,000 after acquiring an additional 388 shares during the period. Finally, Signaturefd LLC raised its position in Suncor Energy by 1.5% in the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 26,530 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $1,011,000 after acquiring an additional 402 shares in the last quarter. 67.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.