Sunoco LP (NYSE:SUN) Short Interest Update

Sunoco LP (NYSE:SUN) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of January. As of January 31st, there was short interest totalling 2,640,000 shares, a growth of 68.2% from the January 15th total of 1,570,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 499,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.3 days.

Sunoco Stock Down 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE:SUN opened at $57.15 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $8.71 billion, a PE ratio of 13.14 and a beta of 1.36. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. Sunoco has a twelve month low of $49.45 and a twelve month high of $64.89. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $54.06 and a 200-day simple moving average of $53.47.

Sunoco (NYSE:SUN) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 11th. The oil and gas company reported $0.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.48 by ($0.73). Sunoco had a net margin of 2.72% and a return on equity of 19.77%. On average, equities analysts predict that Sunoco will post 9.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sunoco Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 7th will be paid a $0.8865 dividend. This is a boost from Sunoco’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.88. This represents a $3.55 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.20%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 7th. Sunoco’s payout ratio is currently 80.46%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on SUN shares. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Sunoco from $61.00 to $66.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Sunoco from $60.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Sunoco from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $63.43.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sunoco

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sanctuary Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Sunoco by 11.7% during the 3rd quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 96,377 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $5,236,000 after purchasing an additional 10,080 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of Sunoco by 26.2% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,191,570 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $117,644,000 after purchasing an additional 455,361 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Sunoco by 5,437.3% during the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 572,779 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $30,747,000 after purchasing an additional 562,435 shares during the period. Avid Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sunoco during the 3rd quarter worth $850,000. Finally, FORA Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sunoco during the 3rd quarter worth $524,000. 24.29% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Sunoco Company Profile

Sunoco LP, together with its subsidiaries, distributes and retails motor fuels in the United States. It operates through two segments: Fuel Distribution and Marketing, and All Other. The Fuel Distribution and Marketing segment purchases motor fuel, as well as other petroleum products, such as propane and lubricating oil from independent refiners and oil companies and supplies it to company-operated retail stores, independently operated commission agents, and retail stores, as well as other commercial customers, including unbranded retail stores, other fuel distributors, school districts, municipalities, and other industrial customers.