Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR) Shares Acquired by Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA

Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its stake in shares of Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR - Free Report) by 105.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 5,420,322 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock after purchasing an additional 2,778,408 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA owned approximately 1.29% of Ventas worth $347,605,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VTR. ANTIPODES PARTNERS Ltd acquired a new stake in Ventas during the 2nd quarter worth about $73,517,000. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI grew its position in Ventas by 217.4% during the 2nd quarter. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd FI now owns 856,525 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $43,905,000 after purchasing an additional 586,676 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its position in Ventas by 1,247.7% during the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 496,531 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $25,452,000 after purchasing an additional 459,689 shares during the period. Swedbank AB acquired a new stake in Ventas during the 1st quarter worth about $19,551,000. Finally, KBC Group NV grew its position in Ventas by 341.4% during the 3rd quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 570,112 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $36,561,000 after purchasing an additional 440,966 shares during the period. 94.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ventas Price Performance

Ventas stock traded down $0.75 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $63.55. The company had a trading volume of 1,743,375 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,404,887. The company has a market capitalization of $26.66 billion, a P/E ratio of -373.80, a P/E/G ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 1.36. Ventas, Inc. has a 12-month low of $41.45 and a 12-month high of $67.61. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $64.11 and its 200-day simple moving average is $57.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 1.04.

Ventas Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 1st were paid a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, October 1st. Ventas's dividend payout ratio is presently -1,058.76%.

Insider Activity at Ventas

In other Ventas news, CEO Peter J. Bulgarelli sold 6,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.99, for a total value of $389,940.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 90,795 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,900,767.05. This trade represents a 6.20 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Debra A. Cafaro sold 6,827 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.20, for a total transaction of $431,466.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 986,717 shares in the company, valued at $62,360,514.40. This trade represents a 0.69 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 140,454 shares of company stock valued at $9,263,815. 1.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Scotiabank increased their price target on Ventas from $59.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Friday, October 11th. Wedbush increased their target price on shares of Ventas from $64.00 to $71.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 10th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of Ventas from $52.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, August 9th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of Ventas from $64.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, September 16th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Ventas from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and increased their target price for the stock from $61.00 to $71.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $63.63.

Ventas Profile

Ventas Inc NYSE: VTR is a leading S&P 500 real estate investment trust focused on delivering strong, sustainable shareholder returns by enabling exceptional environments that benefit a large and growing aging population. The Company's growth is fueled by its senior housing communities, which provide valuable services to residents and enable them to thrive in supported environments.