South Dakota Investment Council Buys New Holdings in Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU)

South Dakota Investment Council purchased a new position in Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU) (TSE:SU) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 55,996 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock, valued at approximately $1,998,000.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of SU. Eastern Bank purchased a new position in shares of Suncor Energy in the third quarter worth $25,000. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in 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 valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 325 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Suncor Energy in the 4th quarter worth $39,000. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Suncor Energy during the fourth quarter valued at about $45,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in shares of Suncor Energy by 27.5% during the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 1,389 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. 67.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Suncor Energy Price Performance

SU opened at $39.46 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. The company has a market cap of $49.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 1.12. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $37.95 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $38.67. Suncor Energy Inc. has a 12-month low of $33.26 and a 12-month high of $41.94.

Suncor Energy (NYSE:SU) (TSE:SU) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.82 by $0.07. Suncor Energy had a net margin of 11.80% and a return on equity of 15.37%. Research analysts predict that Suncor Energy Inc. will post 3.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Suncor Energy Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.399 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 4th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.04%. Suncor Energy’s payout ratio is 45.22%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

SU has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $66.00 price target on shares of Suncor Energy in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Morgan Stanley cut Suncor Energy from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Cibc World Mkts upgraded Suncor Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Tudor Pickering upgraded shares of Suncor Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, February 10th. Finally, Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. upgraded shares of Suncor Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, February 10th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $58.00.

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.