Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) Trading Up 0.5% - Still a Buy?

Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG - Get Free Report) was up 0.5% on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $70.81 and last traded at $70.73. Approximately 67,978 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 94% from the average daily volume of 1,058,223 shares. The stock had previously closed at $70.36.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Mizuho upped their price objective on Regency Centers from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Regency Centers from $80.00 to $79.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on Regency Centers from $78.00 to $77.00 and set an "in-line" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 24th. Three investment 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. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $78.00.

Regency Centers Trading Up 2.1 %

The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $72.38 and a 200-day simple moving average of $72.66. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $13.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.80, a P/E/G ratio of 3.75 and a beta of 1.03.

Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.09 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 research analysts forecast that Regency Centers Co. will post 4.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Regency Centers Announces Dividend

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

Insider Activity at Regency Centers

In related news, CFO Michael J. Mas sold 20,000 shares of Regency Centers stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 sale, the chief financial officer now 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 link. Also, CEO Lisa Palmer sold 25,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.26, for a total value of $1,831,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 139,923 shares of the company's stock, valued at $10,250,758.98. The trade was a 15.16 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 95,000 shares of company stock worth $6,977,500. 1.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Regency Centers

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Regency Centers in the 4th quarter valued at $1,262,425,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of Regency Centers by 0.5% during the fourth quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 11,141,771 shares of the company's stock valued at $823,711,000 after purchasing an additional 51,424 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in shares of Regency Centers by 1.7% in the fourth quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 10,440,384 shares of the company's stock worth $771,859,000 after purchasing an additional 171,047 shares during the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Regency Centers by 4.2% in the fourth quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 9,182,664 shares of the company's stock worth $678,873,000 after purchasing an additional 366,427 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Regency Centers by 121.2% in the fourth 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 in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.07% of the company's stock.

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.