Wakefield Asset Management LLLP Makes New $504,000 Investment in Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG)

Wakefield Asset Management LLLP purchased a new stake in shares of Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 6,824 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $504,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in REG. Glenmede Trust Co. NA boosted its stake in Regency Centers by 4.4% during the third quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA now owns 3,382 shares of the company’s stock valued at $244,000 after buying an additional 141 shares during the period. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Regency Centers by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,950 shares of the company’s stock valued at $286,000 after acquiring an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. Greenleaf Trust boosted its position in shares of Regency Centers by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 4,735 shares of the company’s stock valued at $350,000 after acquiring an additional 172 shares during the last quarter. Groupama Asset Managment grew its holdings in shares of Regency Centers by 0.8% during the third quarter. Groupama Asset Managment now owns 27,046 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,954,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ballentine Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Regency Centers by 9.4% in the fourth quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 3,178 shares of the company’s stock worth $235,000 after purchasing an additional 272 shares during the last quarter. 96.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Lisa Palmer sold 25,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.26, for a total transaction of $1,831,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 139,923 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,250,758.98. The trade was a 15.16 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Michael J. Mas sold 20,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.60, for a total value of $1,472,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 54,020 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,975,872. The trade was a 27.02 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.

Regency Centers Price Performance

REG opened at $75.56 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.95. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $72.69 and its 200 day simple moving average is $72.72. The firm has a market cap of $13.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.64, a PEG ratio of 3.75 and a beta of 1.22. Regency Centers Co. has a 1 year low of $56.51 and a 1 year high of $76.53.

Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.61. Regency Centers had a net margin of 27.54% and a return on equity of 5.91%. As a group, analysts predict that Regency Centers Co. will post 4.54 earnings per share for the current year.

Regency Centers Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be given a $0.705 dividend. This represents a $2.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.73%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 12th. Regency Centers’s payout ratio is 133.02%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have issued reports on REG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Regency Centers from $77.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Regency Centers from $81.00 to $80.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Mizuho upped their target price on shares of Regency Centers from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. BTIG Research raised their price target on Regency Centers from $72.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their price objective on Regency Centers from $71.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, October 31st. Three investment 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’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price 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.