Ensign Peak Advisors Inc Increases Holdings in Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG)

Ensign Peak Advisors Inc raised its stake in shares of Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG) by 48.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 88,685 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 28,956 shares during the period. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc’s holdings in Regency Centers were worth $6,556,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Heck Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Regency Centers during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. National Pension Service purchased a new stake in Regency Centers during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. grew its position in shares of Regency Centers by 48,700.0% during the 4th quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 488 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 487 shares during the period. Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan bought a new stake in shares of Regency Centers during the 4th quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Regency Centers during the 4th quarter valued at $54,000. 96.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Scotiabank cut their price objective on shares of Regency Centers from $76.00 to $75.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of Regency Centers from $80.00 to $79.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $78.00.

Regency Centers Stock Down 1.1%

REG opened at $73.05 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $71.52 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $72.77. Regency Centers Co. has a 52 week low of $58.19 and a 52 week high of $78.18. The company has a market capitalization of $13.26 billion, a PE ratio of 34.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.75 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.15 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.14 by $0.01. Regency Centers had a net margin of 27.54% and a return on equity of 5.91%. The firm had revenue of $370.35 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $364.64 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.08 EPS. Analysts forecast that Regency Centers Co. will post 4.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Regency Centers Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 2nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 11th will be issued a $0.705 dividend. This represents a $2.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.86%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 11th. Regency Centers’s payout ratio is 133.02%.

Insider Activity at Regency Centers

In related news, CFO Michael J. Mas sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 19th. The shares were 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 directly owns 54,020 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,975,872. This represents a 27.02% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Martin E. Stein, Jr. sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated 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 directly owns 110,263 shares in the company, valued at $8,102,125.24. This trade represents a 31.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 95,000 shares of company stock valued at $6,977,500. Insiders own 1.00% 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.