Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) Stock Price Up 0.3% – Still a Buy?

Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG)’s stock price shot up 0.3% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $72.77 and last traded at $72.63. 153,611 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 85% from the average session volume of 1,005,038 shares. The stock had previously closed at $72.44.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on REG shares. BTIG Research lifted their price target on shares of Regency Centers from $72.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Regency Centers from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Regency Centers from $81.00 to $80.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. Finally, Evercore ISI decreased their price target on shares of Regency Centers from $78.00 to $77.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 24th. Three research 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.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $78.08.

Regency Centers Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $13.13 billion, a PE ratio of 34.17, a PEG ratio of 3.75 and a beta of 1.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 0.85. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $73.00 and its 200-day moving average is $73.00.

Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.61. Regency Centers had a return on equity of 5.91% and a net margin of 27.54%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Regency Centers Co. will post 4.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Regency Centers Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be paid a $0.705 dividend. This represents a $2.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 12th. Regency Centers’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 133.02%.

Insider Activity

In other Regency Centers news, CEO Lisa Palmer sold 25,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction 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 completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 139,923 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $10,250,758.98. This trade represents a 15.16 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Michael J. Mas sold 20,000 shares of Regency Centers stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 19th. The shares were 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 owns 54,020 shares in the company, valued at $3,975,872. This represents a 27.02 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 95,000 shares of company stock valued at $6,977,500. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Regency Centers

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Heck Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Regency Centers in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. National Pension Service purchased a new stake in shares of Regency Centers in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Regency Centers by 48,700.0% in the 4th quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 488 shares of the company’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 487 shares during the last quarter. Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan purchased a new position in shares of Regency Centers during the 4th quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Regency Centers in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $53,000. 96.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Regency Centers Company Profile

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.