Stantec (TSE:STN) Stock Crosses Above 200 Day Moving Average - Here's Why

Key Points

• Stantec Inc. shares recently crossed above their 200-day moving average, currently trading at C$150.32, with an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of C$151.42.
• Several research firms, including Canaccord Genuity Group and Desjardins, have raised their price targets for Stantec, citing favorable market conditions.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.225, representing an annualized yield of 0.6% and a payout ratio of 28.03%.

Shares of Stantec Inc. (TSE:STN - Get Free Report) NYSE: STN passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of C$131.16 and traded as high as C$150.54. Stantec shares last traded at C$150.32, with a volume of 196,546 shares.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have issued reports on STN. ATB Capital increased their price target on Stantec from C$140.00 to C$145.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on Stantec from C$150.00 to C$153.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday. Canaccord Genuity Group increased their price target on Stantec from C$150.00 to C$165.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. CIBC raised their price objective on Stantec from C$156.00 to C$168.00 in a research report on Friday, July 18th. Finally, TD Securities raised their price objective on Stantec from C$145.00 to C$165.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of C$155.50.

Stantec Trading Up 0.1%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 85.29, a quick ratio of 1.46 and a current ratio of 1.42. The stock's fifty day moving average is C$149.17 and its 200 day moving average is C$131.87. The stock has a market cap of C$16.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.03, a P/E/G ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.82.

Stantec Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 15th were issued a $0.225 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 30th. This represents a $0.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Stantec's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.03%.

Insider Transactions at Stantec

In other Stantec news, Director Clayton Bock purchased 1,250 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 22nd. The stock was purchased at an average price of C$139.51 per share, with a total value of C$174,392.88. Also, Director Susan Reisbord acquired 2,785 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 26th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of C$147.74 per share, with a total value of C$411,458.13. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Stantec

Stantec Inc is a sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting company. The company is geographically diversified in three regional operating units namely Canada, the United States and Global, offering similar services across all regions. The company offers services in various sectors across the project life cycle through five business operating units infrastructure, water, buildings, environmental services, and energy and resources.