Investors Purchase High Volume of Put Options on Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU)

Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU - Get Free Report) TSE: SU was the target of unusually large options trading on Wednesday. Stock traders bought 28,315 put options on the stock. This is an increase of 2,998% compared to the typical daily volume of 914 put options.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have commented on SU shares. Wall Street Zen downgraded Suncor Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Scotiabank raised shares of Suncor Energy to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 19th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Suncor Energy presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $64.67.

Suncor Energy Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of NYSE:SU traded up $0.16 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $39.39. 3,551,055 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,465,481. The firm has a market capitalization of $48.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.37 and a beta of 0.80. Suncor Energy has a 1 year low of $30.79 and a 1 year high of $41.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $37.11 and a 200-day moving average price of $37.07.

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 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.86 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $9.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.39 billion. Suncor Energy had a net margin of 11.95% and a return on equity of 14.90%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.41 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Suncor Energy will post 3.42 earnings per share for the current year.

Suncor Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 25th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, June 4th were issued a $0.4133 dividend. This is a boost from Suncor Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. This represents a $1.65 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 4th. Suncor Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 47.84%.

Institutional Trading of Suncor Energy

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of SU. Hanson & Doremus Investment Management grew its position in 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 purchasing an additional 465 shares during the last quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. raised its position in 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 buying an additional 405 shares during the last quarter. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in Suncor Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new position in Suncor Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in Suncor Energy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. 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.