Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) Stock Price Up 0.9% – Here’s Why

Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG) shares rose 0.9% on Friday . The company traded as high as $71.46 and last traded at $71.05. Approximately 163,361 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 84% from the average daily volume of 1,006,041 shares. The stock had previously closed at $70.39.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have commented on REG. BTIG Research upped their price objective on shares of Regency Centers from $72.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on shares of Regency Centers from $78.00 to $77.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 24th. Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Regency Centers from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Regency Centers from $81.00 to $80.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Regency Centers currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $78.08.

Regency Centers Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The company’s 50 day moving average is $72.81 and its 200 day moving average is $73.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.52, a P/E/G ratio of 3.75 and a beta of 1.23.

Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, beating 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%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Regency Centers Co. will post 4.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Regency Centers Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be given a dividend of $0.705 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 12th. This represents a $2.82 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.97%. Regency Centers’s dividend payout ratio is 133.02%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Chairman Martin E. Stein, Jr. sold 50,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.48, for a total transaction of $3,674,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 110,263 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,102,125.24. This represents a 31.20 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Lisa Palmer sold 25,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 139,923 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $10,250,758.98. This represents a 15.16 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 95,000 shares of company stock valued at $6,977,500 over the last quarter. 1.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Comprehensive Money Management Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Regency Centers in the fourth quarter worth about $345,000. Siemens Fonds Invest GmbH bought a new position in shares of Regency Centers in the fourth quarter worth about $170,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH bought a new position in shares of Regency Centers in the fourth quarter worth about $20,908,000. Employees Retirement System of Texas raised its holdings in Regency Centers by 35.0% in the 4th quarter. Employees Retirement System of Texas now owns 162,060 shares of the company’s stock valued at $11,981,000 after buying an additional 42,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Regency Centers in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Institutional investors own 96.07% of the company’s stock.

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.