Vert Asset Management LLC Raises Stake in Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG)

Vert Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG) by 4.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 74,157 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 3,480 shares during the period. Regency Centers accounts for approximately 1.9% of Vert Asset Management LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest position. Vert Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Regency Centers were worth $5,482,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of REG. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt raised its position in Regency Centers by 300.0% in the third quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt now owns 800 shares of the company’s stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the period. Quest Partners LLC raised its holdings in Regency Centers by 84.8% in the 3rd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 937 shares of the company’s stock valued at $68,000 after buying an additional 430 shares during the period. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new position in Regency Centers in the third quarter valued at about $96,000. Quarry LP boosted its stake in Regency Centers by 2,811.4% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 2,300 shares of the company’s stock worth $166,000 after buying an additional 2,221 shares during the period. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of Regency Centers by 33.0% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,782 shares of the company’s stock valued at $201,000 after acquiring an additional 691 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.07% of the company’s stock.

Regency Centers Stock Up 1.8 %

Shares of NASDAQ:REG opened at $73.09 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Regency Centers Co. has a fifty-two week low of $56.51 and a fifty-two week high of $76.53. The stock has a market cap of $13.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.68 and a beta of 1.22. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $73.29 and its 200 day moving average price is $71.78.

Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) last issued its earnings results on Monday, October 28th. The company reported $0.54 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.04 by ($0.50). Regency Centers had a return on equity of 5.85% and a net margin of 27.78%. The firm had revenue of $360.27 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $355.17 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.02 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Regency Centers Co. will post 4.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Regency Centers Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 16th were given a dividend of $0.705 per share. This is a boost from Regency Centers’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.67. This represents a $2.82 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.86%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 16th. Regency Centers’s dividend payout ratio is currently 132.39%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on REG shares. KeyCorp initiated coverage on shares of Regency Centers in a research report on Friday, October 25th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $80.00 price objective for the company. Mizuho upped their price target on Regency Centers from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on Regency Centers from $71.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 31st. BTIG Research increased their target price on Regency Centers from $72.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Regency Centers from $77.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, November 4th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Regency Centers has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $78.00.

About Regency Centers

Regency Centers is a preeminent national owner, operator, and developer of shopping centers located in suburban trade areas with compelling demographics. Our portfolio includes thriving properties merchandised with highly productive grocers, restaurants, service providers, and best-in-class retailers that connect to their neighborhoods, communities, and customers.