Suncor Energy Target of Unusually Large Options Trading (NYSE:SU)

Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU - Get Free Report) TSE: SU was the target of unusually large options trading on Wednesday. Traders purchased 28,315 put options on the company. This represents an increase of 2,998% compared to the average daily volume of 914 put options.

Suncor Energy Stock Up 3.2%

SU stock traded up $1.13 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $36.68. The company had a trading volume of 12,836,905 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,474,492. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 1.33 and a quick ratio of 0.86. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $35.27 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $37.06. The company has a market capitalization of $45.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.63, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.79. Suncor Energy has a 52 week low of $30.79 and a 52 week high of $41.95.

Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU - Get Free Report) TSE: SU last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.91 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.86 by $0.05. Suncor Energy had a return on equity of 15.37% and a net margin of 11.80%. The firm had revenue of $9.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.39 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.41 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Suncor Energy will post 3.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Suncor Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 25th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, June 4th will be paid a dividend of $0.4133 per share. This is an increase from Suncor Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. This represents a $1.65 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.51%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 4th. Suncor Energy's payout ratio is currently 45.53%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

SU has been the subject of a number of research reports. Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. upgraded Suncor Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, February 10th. Cibc World Mkts upgraded Suncor Energy from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Scotiabank upgraded Suncor Energy to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 19th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Suncor Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, Tudor Pickering upgraded Suncor Energy from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, February 10th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $64.67.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management boosted its stake in shares of Suncor Energy by 143.5% during the 1st quarter. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management now owns 789 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 465 shares during the period. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Suncor Energy by 97.6% during the 1st quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 820 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 405 shares during the period. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Suncor Energy by 62.1% during the 4th quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 848 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 325 shares during the period. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Suncor Energy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, Crowley Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Suncor Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. 67.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Suncor Energy Company Profile

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.