Algert Global LLC Cuts Stock Holdings in SM Energy (NYSE:SM)

Algert Global LLC lessened its stake in SM Energy (NYSE:SM - Free Report) by 91.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,120 shares of the energy company's stock after selling 156,880 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC's holdings in SM Energy were worth $586,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Aristeia Capital L.L.C. lifted its stake in shares of SM Energy by 105.8% in the 4th quarter. Aristeia Capital L.L.C. now owns 20,271 shares of the energy company's stock worth $786,000 after acquiring an additional 10,422 shares during the period. Comerica Bank lifted its position in SM Energy by 8.7% in the fourth quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 119,356 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $4,626,000 after purchasing an additional 9,554 shares during the period. Gallo Partners LP purchased a new stake in SM Energy in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $930,000. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC acquired a new position in SM Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,184,000. Finally, LSP Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in SM Energy by 53.4% during the 4th quarter. LSP Investment Advisors LLC now owns 304,191 shares of the energy company's stock worth $11,790,000 after purchasing an additional 105,945 shares during the period. 94.56% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at SM Energy

In other SM Energy news, Director Barton R. Brookman, Jr. bought 7,000 shares of SM Energy stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 26th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $32.36 per share, for a total transaction of $226,520.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 14,666 shares of the company's stock, valued at $474,591.76. This represents a 91.31% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.50% of the company's stock.

SM Energy Price Performance

SM stock traded up $0.83 on Tuesday, reaching $25.62. The company had a trading volume of 3,445,971 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,959,479. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 3.52 and a current ratio of 0.55. The company's fifty day moving average is $25.48 and its 200 day moving average is $35.00. The company has a market cap of $2.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 3.84 and a beta of 2.17. SM Energy has a 1 year low of $19.67 and a 1 year high of $50.77.

SM Energy (NYSE:SM - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The energy company reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.60 by $0.16. SM Energy had a return on equity of 19.82% and a net margin of 28.63%. The business had revenue of $844.54 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $814.62 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.13 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 50.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that SM Energy will post 8.1 earnings per share for the current year.

SM Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 18th were given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.12%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 17th. SM Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 11.20%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

SM has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Williams Trading set a $41.00 price target on SM Energy in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Susquehanna decreased their target price on shares of SM Energy from $39.00 to $24.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. KeyCorp lowered their price target on shares of SM Energy from $60.00 to $36.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 21st. Mizuho reduced their price objective on shares of SM Energy from $46.00 to $42.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Stephens lowered their target price on shares of SM Energy from $62.00 to $55.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, SM Energy has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $42.92.

About SM Energy

SM Energy Company, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, gas, and natural gas liquids in the state of Texas. It has working interests in oil and gas producing wells in the Midland Basin and South Texas. The company was formerly known as St.