Principal Financial Group Inc. Raises Stock Holdings in Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG)

Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG) by 4.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,182,664 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 366,427 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned approximately 5.06% of Regency Centers worth $678,873,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Regency Centers during the fourth quarter worth about $634,000. Principal Securities Inc. grew its position in shares of Regency Centers by 29.0% during the fourth quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 1,360 shares of the company’s stock worth $101,000 after buying an additional 306 shares in the last quarter. Wealthcare Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Regency Centers during the fourth quarter worth about $408,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Regency Centers during the fourth quarter worth about $479,000. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC acquired a new position in shares of Regency Centers during the fourth quarter worth about $395,000. 96.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Regency Centers Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ REG opened at $72.34 on Monday. Regency Centers Co. has a twelve month low of $56.51 and a twelve month high of $76.53. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The company has a market capitalization of $13.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.77 and a beta of 1.21. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $72.79 and a 200-day simple moving average of $72.48.

Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.61. Regency Centers had a return on equity of 5.89% and a net margin of 27.54%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Regency Centers Co. will post 4.49 earnings per share for the current year.

Regency Centers Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be paid a $0.705 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 12th. This represents a $2.82 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.90%. Regency Centers’s payout ratio is 133.02%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. BTIG Research upped their price target on Regency Centers from $72.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Mizuho upped their price target on Regency Centers from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Regency Centers from $81.00 to $80.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Regency Centers from $78.00 to $77.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 24th. Finally, KeyCorp assumed coverage on Regency Centers in a report on Friday, October 25th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $80.00 price target for the company. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Regency Centers presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $78.08.

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.