Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG) Short Interest Update

Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 4,920,000 shares, a growth of 23.0% from the November 30th total of 4,000,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,050,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.7 days.

Regency Centers Price Performance

Shares of REG stock traded up $0.52 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $73.93. The stock had a trading volume of 1,020,327 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,106,071. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $73.86 and its 200 day simple moving average is $70.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.42 billion, a PE ratio of 34.71, a PEG ratio of 4.16 and a beta of 1.22. Regency Centers has a 12 month low of $56.51 and a 12 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.

Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 28th. The company reported $0.54 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $355.17 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.02 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Regency Centers will post 4.28 EPS for the current year.

Regency Centers Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 3rd. Investors of record on Monday, December 16th will be paid a $0.705 dividend. This represents a $2.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.81%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 16th. This is a boost from Regency Centers’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.67. Regency Centers’s dividend payout ratio is currently 132.39%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Regency Centers

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Glenmede Trust Co. NA raised its position in Regency Centers by 4.4% in the 3rd quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA now owns 3,382 shares of the company’s stock worth $244,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares during the period. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Regency Centers by 4.3% in the third quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,950 shares of the company’s stock worth $286,000 after buying an additional 163 shares during the period. Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV lifted its stake in shares of Regency Centers by 4.3% in the 3rd quarter. Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV now owns 4,543 shares of the company’s stock valued at $328,000 after acquiring an additional 189 shares during the last quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Regency Centers by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC now owns 6,941 shares of the company’s stock valued at $501,000 after acquiring an additional 203 shares during the period. Finally, Groupama Asset Managment grew its position in Regency Centers by 0.8% during the 3rd quarter. Groupama Asset Managment now owns 27,046 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,954,000 after acquiring an additional 212 shares during the last quarter. 96.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently issued reports on REG. BTIG Research lifted their target price on Regency Centers from $72.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Compass Point lifted their price objective on shares of Regency Centers from $75.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Regency Centers from $77.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, November 4th. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Regency Centers from $71.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on shares of Regency Centers from $78.00 to $77.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company 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 assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $77.42.

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.