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

Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU) (TSE:SU) was the target of unusually large options trading activity on Monday. Investors purchased 11,711 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 70% compared to the typical daily volume of 6,909 call options.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Suncor Energy from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $66.00 price objective on shares of Suncor Energy in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Desjardins upgraded Suncor Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Suncor Energy from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 26th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $58.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Suncor Energy

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SU. Sanctuary Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Suncor Energy by 32.3% in the third quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 82,204 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $3,035,000 after purchasing an additional 20,081 shares in the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Suncor Energy by 1,345.8% during the 3rd quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 468,415 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $17,309,000 after buying an additional 436,016 shares in the last quarter. Aigen Investment Management LP acquired a new position in Suncor Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $1,376,000. DRW Securities LLC bought a new stake in Suncor Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $1,151,000. Finally, Mediolanum International Funds Ltd increased its position in Suncor Energy by 22.5% in the 3rd quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd now owns 250,849 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $9,245,000 after acquiring an additional 46,155 shares in the last quarter. 67.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Suncor Energy Price Performance

NYSE:SU traded up $0.68 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $40.06. The company had a trading volume of 3,246,546 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,874,205. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $38.01 and a two-hundred day moving average of $38.48. Suncor Energy has a one year low of $31.03 and a one year high of $41.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $49.86 billion, a PE ratio of 8.73, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.12.

Suncor Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 24th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd were issued a $0.4089 dividend. This is a positive change 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 4.08%. Suncor Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 35.08%.

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.