Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC Makes New Investment in Stantec Inc. $STN

Key Points

• Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC acquired 39,488 shares of Stantec Inc. valued at approximately $3.27 million, marking a significant new investment during Q1.
• Stantec recently increased its quarterly dividend to $0.1635 per share, reflecting a commitment to shareholder returns with a payout ratio of 24.09%.
• The company's stock has an average Buy rating from analysts, with notable firms like Royal Bank of Canada and TD Securities maintaining optimistic ratings on STN.

Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC bought a new position in shares of Stantec Inc. (NYSE:STN - Free Report) TSE: STN during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 39,488 shares of the business services provider's stock, valued at approximately $3,272,000.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its position in Stantec by 166.5% during the fourth quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 22,342,818 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $1,751,093,000 after buying an additional 13,958,790 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its position in shares of Stantec by 28.8% in the 1st quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 4,309,182 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $359,131,000 after acquiring an additional 964,188 shares during the period. Janus Henderson Group PLC acquired a new stake in shares of Stantec during the 4th quarter worth approximately $56,191,000. Royal Bank of Canada grew its holdings in shares of Stantec by 9.5% during the 4th quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 3,008,962 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $236,055,000 after purchasing an additional 261,705 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Intact Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Stantec by 781.2% during the first quarter. Intact Investment Management Inc. now owns 186,118 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $15,429,000 after purchasing an additional 164,998 shares during the period. 63.86% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on STN shares. TD Securities reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Stantec in a research note on Friday, May 16th. CIBC reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Stantec in a report on Friday, July 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Stantec in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Stantec from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 16th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Buy".

Stantec Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:STN traded up $3.22 on Thursday, hitting $112.31. The stock had a trading volume of 157,908 shares, compared to its average volume of 184,691. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $109.41 and its 200-day moving average price is $98.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 1.44 and a current ratio of 1.44. Stantec Inc. has a twelve month low of $73.18 and a twelve month high of $113.50. The company has a market capitalization of $12.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.99 and a beta of 1.06.

Stantec (NYSE:STN - Get Free Report) TSE: STN last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 13th. The business services provider reported $0.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.98. The firm had revenue of $1.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.64 billion. Stantec had a net margin of 5.62% and a return on equity of 19.03%. Stantec has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.784-3.880 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Stantec Inc. will post 3.05 earnings per share for the current year.

Stantec Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Monday, September 29th will be given a dividend of $0.1635 per share. This is a boost from Stantec's previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 29th. This represents a $0.65 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. Stantec's dividend payout ratio is currently 24.09%.

About Stantec

Stantec Inc provides professional services in the areas of infrastructure and facilities to the public and private sectors in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It offers evaluation, planning, and designing infrastructure solutions; solutions for sustainable water resources, planning, management, and infrastructure; environmental services; integrated architecture, engineering, interior design, and planning solutions for buildings; and energy and resources solutions.