Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU) Receives Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" from Analysts

Shares of Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU - Get Free Report) TSE: SU have received an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the eleven research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, six have issued a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $64.67.

Several research firms have recently weighed in on SU. Bank of America started coverage on Suncor Energy in a research report on Wednesday, February 26th. They set a "neutral" rating for the company. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Suncor Energy to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 19th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Suncor Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 17th.

Suncor Energy Trading Down 1.8%

NYSE:SU traded down $0.69 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $38.29. 4,410,060 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,042,857. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. Suncor Energy has a 52 week low of $30.79 and a 52 week high of $41.94. The stock has a market capitalization of $46.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.03, a PEG ratio of 3.49 and a beta of 0.79. The firm's 50 day moving average is $36.34 and its two-hundred day moving average is $36.94.

Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU - Get Free Report) TSE: SU last released its earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.91 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.86 by $0.05. Suncor Energy had a return on equity of 14.90% and a net margin of 11.95%. The firm had revenue of $9.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $13.39 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.41 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Suncor Energy will post 3.42 earnings per share for the current year.

Suncor Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 25th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, June 4th will be given a $0.4133 dividend. This represents a $1.65 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.32%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 4th. This is a boost from Suncor Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. Suncor Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 47.84%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Suncor Energy

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of SU. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Suncor Energy by 12,290.9% in the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 12,418,784 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $480,760,000 after acquiring an additional 12,318,559 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in Suncor Energy by 172.5% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,981 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $77,000 after purchasing an additional 1,254 shares in the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth grew its stake in Suncor Energy by 1.3% in the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 796,967 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $30,859,000 after purchasing an additional 10,514 shares during the last quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd raised its holdings in Suncor Energy by 154.6% in the first quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 5,030 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $195,000 after purchasing an additional 3,054 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its position in shares of Suncor Energy by 36.3% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 944,533 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $36,572,000 after buying an additional 251,298 shares during the last quarter. 67.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.