Stantec (NYSE:STN) Sets New 12-Month High - Here's Why

Stantec Inc. (NYSE:STN - Get Free Report) TSE: STN hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $104.70 and last traded at $104.53, with a volume of 140797 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $102.94.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. Raymond James raised Stantec from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 26th. Wall Street Zen raised Stantec from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th. TD Securities reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Stantec in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Scotiabank reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Stantec in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Stantec in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Buy".

Stantec Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $12.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.30 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a fifty day moving average of $92.65 and a two-hundred day moving average of $84.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 1.42 and a current ratio of 1.42.

Stantec (NYSE:STN - Get Free Report) TSE: STN last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 14th. The business services provider reported $0.81 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.02. Stantec had a return on equity of 16.57% and a net margin of 4.78%. The firm had revenue of $1.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.54 billion. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Stantec Inc. will post 3.05 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Stantec Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.1612 per share. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.61%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 30th. This is a positive change from Stantec's previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. Stantec's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.62%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Stantec

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in STN. Atria Investments Inc increased its stake in shares of Stantec by 4.3% in the 4th quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 3,650 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $286,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC increased its stake in shares of Stantec by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 4,041 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $317,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares during the last quarter. Mariner LLC increased its stake in shares of Stantec by 4.2% in the 4th quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 4,880 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $383,000 after purchasing an additional 195 shares during the last quarter. Pembroke Management LTD increased its stake in shares of Stantec by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Pembroke Management LTD now owns 6,933 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $574,000 after purchasing an additional 231 shares during the last quarter. Finally, US Bancorp DE increased its stake in shares of Stantec by 11.2% in the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 2,359 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $185,000 after purchasing an additional 237 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 63.86% of the company's stock.

Stantec Company Profile

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.