Wedbush Downgrades Healthcare Realty Trust (NYSE:HR) to Underperform

Healthcare Realty Trust (NYSE:HR - Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities research analysts at Wedbush from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating in a report issued on Thursday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have a $16.00 price objective on the real estate investment trust's stock, down from their previous price objective of $18.00. Wedbush's target price indicates a potential downside of 2.85% from the stock's previous close.

A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company restated an "underweight" rating and issued a $17.00 price target (up previously from $16.00) on shares of Healthcare Realty Trust in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of Healthcare Realty Trust from an "overweight" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $19.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Friday, December 20th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and five have given a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Healthcare Realty Trust presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $17.14.

Healthcare Realty Trust Price Performance

HR stock traded down $0.48 during trading on Thursday, reaching $16.47. 2,668,825 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,466,269. Healthcare Realty Trust has a twelve month low of $12.77 and a twelve month high of $18.90. The company has a market capitalization of $5.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.42 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a 50-day moving average of $17.55 and a two-hundred day moving average of $17.55.

Insider Activity

In other news, COO Robert E. Hull sold 10,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.48, for a total transaction of $174,800.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 171,400 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,996,072. This trade represents a 5.51 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Thomas N. Bohjalian acquired 7,750 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $17.39 per share, for a total transaction of $134,772.50. Following the purchase, the director now owns 50,002 shares of the company's stock, valued at $869,534.78. This represents a 18.34 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have bought 18,750 shares of company stock valued at $323,723. 0.56% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Healthcare Realty Trust

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its position in shares of Healthcare Realty Trust by 38.1% in the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 2,276 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 628 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its position in Healthcare Realty Trust by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 24,912 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $452,000 after purchasing an additional 823 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in Healthcare Realty Trust by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 81,598 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $1,345,000 after acquiring an additional 848 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC boosted its position in Healthcare Realty Trust by 1.4% in the second quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 66,654 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $1,098,000 after buying an additional 929 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Healthcare Realty Trust by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 30,358 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $551,000 after acquiring an additional 1,062 shares during the last quarter.

Healthcare Realty Trust Company Profile

Healthcare Realty NYSE: HR is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns and operates medical outpatient buildings primarily located around market-leading hospital campuses. The Company selectively grows its portfolio through property acquisition and development. As the first and largest REIT to specialize in medical outpatient buildings, Healthcare Realty's portfolio includes more than 700 properties totaling over 40 million square feet concentrated in 15 growth markets.