Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) Stock Price Up 1.3% - Should You Buy?

Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG - Get Free Report) shot up 1.3% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $70.36 and last traded at $70.30. 101,145 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 90% from the average session volume of 1,061,534 shares. The stock had previously closed at $69.40.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently commented on REG. Mizuho upped their target price on Regency Centers from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Evercore ISI cut their price objective on shares of Regency Centers from $78.00 to $77.00 and set an "in-line" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Regency Centers from $80.00 to $79.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. Three equities 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. According to data from MarketBeat, Regency Centers currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $78.00.

Regency Centers Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66. The company has a market cap of $13.01 billion, a PE ratio of 33.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.75 and a beta of 1.03. The firm's fifty day moving average is $72.44 and its 200 day moving average is $72.65.

Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, beating 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%. As a group, research analysts predict that Regency Centers Co. will post 4.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Regency Centers Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th were paid a dividend of $0.705 per share. This represents a $2.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.94%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 12th. Regency Centers's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 133.02%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CFO Michael J. Mas sold 20,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.60, for a total transaction of $1,472,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 54,020 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,975,872. This trade represents a 27.02 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Lisa Palmer sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.26, for a total transaction of $1,831,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 139,923 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $10,250,758.98. This trade represents a 15.16 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 95,000 shares of company stock valued at $6,977,500 in the last three months. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Regency Centers

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Regency Centers in the 4th quarter worth $1,262,425,000. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Regency Centers by 121.2% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 5,374,450 shares of the company's stock worth $397,333,000 after buying an additional 2,944,854 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Regency Centers by 64.1% in the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 2,781,614 shares of the company's stock valued at $205,645,000 after purchasing an additional 1,086,797 shares in the last quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. lifted its position in shares of Regency Centers by 51.7% in the fourth quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 2,155,589 shares of the company's stock valued at $159,363,000 after acquiring an additional 734,210 shares in the last quarter. Finally, California Public Employees Retirement System raised its stake in Regency Centers by 137.2% in the 4th quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 776,521 shares of the company's stock valued at $57,408,000 after purchasing an additional 449,110 shares during the last quarter. 96.07% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.