Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) Trading 2% Higher - Here's Why

Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG - Get Free Report) shares rose 2% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $71.76 and last traded at $71.61. Approximately 98,551 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 91% from the average daily volume of 1,056,067 shares. The stock had previously closed at $70.21.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have issued reports on REG. Evercore ISI decreased their price target on 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. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Regency Centers from $80.00 to $79.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. Finally, Mizuho lifted their price objective on shares of Regency Centers from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $78.00.

Regency Centers Stock Down 1.2 %

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 $12.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.39, a P/E/G ratio of 3.75 and a beta of 1.03. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $72.38 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $72.67.

Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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%. On average, equities analysts predict that Regency Centers Co. will post 4.54 earnings per share for the current year.

Regency Centers Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Stockholders 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 dividend yield of 3.98%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 12th. Regency Centers's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 133.02%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Regency Centers

In related news, CFO Michael J. Mas sold 20,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.60, for a total value of $1,472,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 54,020 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,975,872. The trade was a 27.02 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Chairman Martin E. Stein, Jr. sold 50,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction 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 of the company's stock, valued at $8,102,125.24. The trade was a 31.20 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 95,000 shares of company stock worth $6,977,500 over the last ninety days. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Regency Centers

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Friedenthal Financial bought a new position in Regency Centers during the first quarter valued at about $975,000. State of Alaska Department of Revenue grew its holdings in Regency Centers by 1.5% during the first quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 107,328 shares of the company's stock valued at $7,915,000 after purchasing an additional 1,600 shares during the period. Insigneo Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Regency Centers during the first quarter worth about $292,000. QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Regency Centers by 2.4% in the first quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 80,839 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,963,000 after buying an additional 1,872 shares during the period. Finally, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its position in Regency Centers by 7.1% in the 1st quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 4,296 shares of the company's stock valued at $317,000 after buying an additional 283 shares during the last quarter. 96.07% of the stock is currently 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.