Equity One Inc. (EQY) Upgraded by Zacks Investment Research to Buy

Equity One Inc. (NYSE:EQY) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday. The firm presently has a $36.00 target price on the real estate investment trust’s stock. Zacks Investment Research’s price objective suggests a potential upside of 11.80% from the stock’s current price.

According to Zacks, “Equity One, Inc. is a self-administered, self-managed real estate investment trust that principally acquires, renovates, develops and manages community and neighborhood shopping centers anchored by national and regional supermarket chains. “

In other Equity One news, COO Michael Makinen sold 1,400 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.77, for a total transaction of $41,678.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 15,094 shares in the company, valued at approximately $449,348.38. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Angela Valdes sold 25,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.23, for a total transaction of $755,750.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 45,393 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,372,230.39. The disclosure for this sale can be found here.

A number of institutional investors have bought and sold shares of EQY. Russell Frank Co increased its position in Equity One by 4.4% in the fourth quarter. Russell Frank Co now owns 114,176 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $3,118,000 after buying an additional 4,785 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. increased its position in Equity One by 11.6% in the fourth quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 52,681 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $1,430,000 after buying an additional 5,472 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP increased its position in Equity One by 213.7% in the fourth quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 82,524 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $2,241,000 after buying an additional 56,219 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers increased its position in Equity One by 0.9% in the fourth quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 158,589 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $4,306,000 after buying an additional 1,394 shares during the period. Finally, California Public Employees Retirement System increased its position in Equity One by 15.0% in the fourth quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 174,938 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $4,750,000 after buying an additional 22,800 shares during the period.

Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Deutsche Bank AG reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Equity One in a research note on Sunday, May 22nd. Citigroup Inc. raised their target price on shares of Equity One from $29.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 7th. Finally, Barclays PLC raised their target price on shares of Equity One from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. The stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $30.43.

Equity One (NYSE:EQY) traded down 0.59% during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $32.20. The stock had a trading volume of 479,806 shares. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.58 billion and a P/E ratio of 54.30. Equity One has a 52-week low of $22.52 and a 52-week high of $32.56. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $31.24 and a 200 day moving average of $28.90.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 16th were paid a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.73%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 14th.

Equity One, Inc is a real estate investment trust (REIT). The Company owns, manages, acquires, develops and redevelops shopping centers and retail properties located in supply constrained suburban and urban communities. The Company’s property portfolio includes 90-30 Metropolitan, 1175 Third Avenue, Aventura Square, Circle Center West, Culver Center, Bird Ludlum, Greenwood, Pavilion, Sheridan Plaza, Shoppes of Silverlakes, Westport Plaza, Alafaya Village, Ryanwood, Town & Country, Plaza Escuela, Potrero, Copps Hill, Southbury Green, Clocktower Plaza, Buckhead Station, Hampton Oaks, Quincy Star Market, Elmwood Oaks, Westwood Towers, Centre Pointe Plaza and Willows Shopping Center.