Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) Shares Up 1.1% – Should You Buy?

Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG)’s share price rose 1.1% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $74.19 and last traded at $74.38. Approximately 207,023 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 80% from the average daily volume of 1,050,568 shares. The stock had previously closed at $73.57.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently weighed in on REG. Evercore ISI cut their target price on shares of Regency Centers from $78.00 to $77.00 and set an “in-line” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 24th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Regency Centers from $80.00 to $79.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price objective 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. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $78.00.

Regency Centers Trading Up 1.2 %

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $73.20 and a 200 day simple moving average of $72.94. The company has a market capitalization of $13.52 billion, a PE ratio of 35.12, a price-to-earnings-growth 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.

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

Regency Centers Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared 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 of this dividend is Wednesday, March 12th. This represents a $2.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.79%. Regency Centers’s payout ratio is presently 133.02%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Regency Centers

In other Regency Centers news, CFO Michael J. Mas sold 20,000 shares of Regency Centers stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.60, for a total transaction of $1,472,000.00. Following the transaction, 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 ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Chairman Martin E. Stein, Jr. sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 directly owns 110,263 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,102,125.24. This trade represents a 31.20 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 95,000 shares of company stock worth $6,977,500. Insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Regency Centers

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Regency Centers during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. National Pension Service acquired a new position in Regency Centers in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. boosted its stake in Regency Centers by 48,700.0% during the fourth quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 488 shares of the company’s stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 487 shares during the period. Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan acquired a new stake in shares of Regency Centers during the fourth quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Regency Centers in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.07% of the company’s stock.

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.