Wakefield Asset Management LLLP Makes New Investment in Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG)

Wakefield Asset Management LLLP bought a new stake in Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 6,824 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $504,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in REG. Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Regency Centers in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. National Pension Service purchased a new stake in shares of Regency Centers in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Regency Centers in the 4th quarter valued at about $54,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Regency Centers by 4,400.0% in the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 855 shares of the company's stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 836 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quest Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Regency Centers by 84.8% in the 3rd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 937 shares of the company's stock valued at $68,000 after purchasing an additional 430 shares during the last quarter. 96.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on REG shares. BTIG Research upped their price objective on Regency Centers from $72.00 to $79.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Regency Centers from $77.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Regency Centers from $81.00 to $80.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. Mizuho upped their price objective on Regency Centers from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on 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 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 stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $78.08.

Regency Centers Stock Performance

NASDAQ REG traded up $1.04 on Monday, hitting $77.74. 1,364,229 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 972,571. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.95. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $72.83 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $72.86. Regency Centers Co. has a fifty-two week low of $56.51 and a fifty-two week high of $77.92. The firm has a market cap of $14.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.67, a P/E/G ratio of 3.75 and a beta of 1.21.

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

Regency Centers Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be issued a $0.705 dividend. This represents a $2.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.63%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 12th. Regency Centers's dividend payout ratio is currently 133.02%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Michael J. Mas sold 20,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.60, for a total value of $1,472,000.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 54,020 shares in the company, valued at $3,975,872. This represents a 27.02 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 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 sale, the chief executive officer now owns 139,923 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,250,758.98. This represents a 15.16 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

Regency Centers Profile

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.