Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) Trading 0.9% Higher – Should You Buy?

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

REG has been the topic of several analyst reports. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Regency Centers from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Evercore ISI reduced their price target on Regency Centers from $78.00 to $77.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, December 24th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on Regency Centers from $81.00 to $80.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Finally, BTIG Research boosted their target price on Regency Centers from $72.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. Three 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. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $78.08.

Regency Centers Stock Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average of $72.85 and a two-hundred day moving average of $73.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.95. The company has a market capitalization of $12.84 billion, a PE ratio of 33.39, a PEG ratio of 3.75 and a beta of 1.23.

Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.61. Regency Centers had a net margin of 27.54% and a return on equity of 5.91%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Regency Centers Co. will post 4.54 earnings per share for the current year.

Regency Centers Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be given a $0.705 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 12th. This represents a $2.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.98%. Regency Centers’s dividend payout ratio is currently 133.02%.

Insider Transactions at Regency Centers

In related news, CFO Michael J. Mas sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 owns 54,020 shares in the company, valued at $3,975,872. This represents 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 available at the SEC website. Also, Chairman Martin E. Stein, Jr. sold 50,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at $8,102,125.24. This represents a 31.20 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 95,000 shares of company stock valued at $6,977,500. Insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Regency Centers

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Regency Centers during the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. National Pension Service purchased a new stake in shares of Regency Centers during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. lifted its stake 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 purchasing an additional 487 shares during the period. Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan purchased a new position in shares of Regency Centers in the fourth quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Regency Centers in the fourth quarter worth approximately $53,000. 96.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.