Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Increases Holdings in SM Energy (NYSE:SM)

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in SM Energy (NYSE:SM) by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,279,379 shares of the energy company’s stock after purchasing an additional 75,408 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned about 3.61% of SM Energy worth $135,356,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SM. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in SM Energy by 41.0% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 8,075 shares of the energy company’s stock valued at $314,000 after buying an additional 2,348 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors L.P. boosted its stake in SM Energy by 28.4% during the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 20,390 shares of the energy company’s stock valued at $794,000 after buying an additional 4,513 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in SM Energy by 55.1% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 63,571 shares of the energy company’s stock valued at $2,476,000 after buying an additional 22,582 shares during the period. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can lifted its stake in SM Energy by 2.5% during the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 110,627 shares of the energy company’s stock worth $4,431,000 after purchasing an additional 2,680 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. bought a new stake in SM Energy during the first quarter worth about $1,226,000. Institutional investors own 91.26% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at SM Energy

In related news, Director Rose M. Robeson sold 30,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.65, for a total transaction of $1,189,500.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 39,531 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,567,404.15. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other SM Energy news, Director Ramiro G. Peru sold 15,670 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.14, for a total transaction of $644,663.80. Following the transaction, the director now owns 73,685 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,031,400.90. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Rose M. Robeson sold 30,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.65, for a total value of $1,189,500.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 39,531 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,567,404.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

SM Energy Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of NYSE:SM opened at $38.02 on Tuesday. SM Energy has a 1 year low of $24.66 and a 1 year high of $44.72. The company has a market cap of $4.42 billion, a PE ratio of 5.56 and a beta of 4.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.17. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $39.40 and its 200 day moving average is $35.44.

SM Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 24th were issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, October 23rd. This represents a yield of 0.8%. SM Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 8.77%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on SM Energy in a research note on Wednesday, November 15th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $40.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on SM Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a “hold” rating for the company. Raymond James lifted their price target on SM Energy from $41.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, July 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised SM Energy from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $45.00 to $47.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 16th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating and issued a $46.00 target price on shares of SM Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, SM Energy currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $41.91.

About SM Energy

SM Energy Company, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, gas, and natural gas liquids in the state of Texas. It also has working interests in oil and gas producing wells in the Midland Basin and South Texas. The company was formerly known as St.