Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC Takes Position in AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB)

Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC purchased a new position in AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 94,884 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock, valued at approximately $20,872,000. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC owned 0.07% of AvalonBay Communities at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Wedmont Private Capital increased its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 1,094 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $231,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC increased its holdings in AvalonBay Communities by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 1,616 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $356,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC raised its position in AvalonBay Communities by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 2,512 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $553,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund boosted its stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 12,179 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $2,679,000 after buying an additional 69 shares during the period. Finally, Greenleaf Trust grew its position in shares of AvalonBay Communities by 2.4% during the fourth quarter. Greenleaf Trust now owns 3,028 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $666,000 after buying an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. 92.61% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AvalonBay Communities Price Performance

Shares of AVB stock traded down $0.65 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $207.15. 714,451 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 689,484. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $209.61 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $218.51. The firm has a market cap of $29.49 billion, a PE ratio of 27.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.11 and a beta of 0.86. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. has a 1-year low of $180.40 and a 1-year high of $239.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.64.

AvalonBay Communities (NYSE:AVB - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.80 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.83 by ($0.03). AvalonBay Communities had a net margin of 37.13% and a return on equity of 9.15%. On average, equities research analysts expect that AvalonBay Communities, Inc. will post 11.48 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AvalonBay Communities Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st were given a dividend of $1.75 per share. This is an increase from AvalonBay Communities's previous quarterly dividend of $1.70. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 31st. This represents a $7.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.38%. AvalonBay Communities's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 92.23%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. BMO Capital Markets cut shares of AvalonBay Communities from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating and set a $220.00 price target for the company. in a report on Friday, April 4th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on AvalonBay Communities from $226.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a report on Friday, February 7th. Morgan Stanley downgraded AvalonBay Communities from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $236.00 to $223.00 in a report on Friday, January 24th. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on AvalonBay Communities from $270.00 to $265.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Finally, Zelman & Associates raised AvalonBay Communities from a "neutral" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $237.47.

AvalonBay Communities Company Profile

AvalonBay Communities, Inc is a real estate investment trust, which engages in the development, acquisition, ownership, and operation of multifamily communities. It operates through the following segments: Same Store, Other Stabilized, and Development or Redevelopment. The Same Store segment refers to the operating communities that were owned and had stabilized occupancy.