Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) Trading Up 0.6% - Still a Buy?

Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG - Get Free Report)'s stock price was up 0.6% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $68.94 and last traded at $67.94. Approximately 343,214 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 68% from the average daily volume of 1,064,408 shares. The stock had previously closed at $67.54.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have recently commented on REG. 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 research report on Wednesday, March 26th. Mizuho lifted their price target on Regency Centers from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on shares of Regency Centers from $78.00 to $77.00 and set an "in-line" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 24th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $78.00.

Regency Centers Stock Up 1.4 %

The stock has a market cap of $12.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.74, a PEG ratio of 3.75 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 0.85. The firm's 50-day moving average is $72.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $72.68.

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Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 research analysts anticipate that Regency Centers Co. will post 4.54 earnings per share for the current year.

Regency Centers Announces Dividend

The firm 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 12th. This represents a $2.82 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.06%. Regency Centers's dividend payout ratio is currently 133.02%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Chairman Martin E. Stein, Jr. sold 50,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.48, for a total value of $3,674,000.00. Following the transaction, the chairman now owns 110,263 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,102,125.24. This represents a 31.20 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Lisa Palmer sold 25,000 shares of the 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 transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 139,923 shares in the company, 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. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 95,000 shares of company stock worth $6,977,500. 1.00% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Regency Centers

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Regency Centers during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. National Pension Service acquired a new stake in shares of Regency Centers in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. raised its position in shares of Regency Centers by 48,700.0% during the fourth quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 488 shares of the company's stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 487 shares during the last quarter. Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan acquired a new position in shares of Regency Centers in the fourth quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Sentry Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Regency Centers in the first quarter valued at approximately $38,000. 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.