Equity Lifestyle Properties (NYSE:ELS) Stock Rating Upgraded by Wall Street Zen

Key Points

• Wall Street Zen upgraded Equity Lifestyle Properties (ELS) from a "sell" to a "hold," while other analysts' views remain mixed — MarketBeat shows a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" with a consensus price target of $69.05.
• ELS shares opened at $64.00 with a market capitalization of $12.41 billion and a P/E of 31.84; the stock's 12-month range is $58.15–$69.00 and its 50/200-day moving averages are $65.86 and $63.16, respectively.
• An insider transaction: Director David J. Contis sold 3,000 shares at an average of $67.22 (a 16.77% reduction in his holdings); insiders own 0.80% of the company while institutional investors own 97.21%, including large recent increases by firms like Jane Street.

Equity Lifestyle Properties (NYSE:ELS - Get Free Report) was upgraded by research analysts at Wall Street Zen from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report issued on Saturday.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Mizuho began coverage on Equity Lifestyle Properties in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. They set an "outperform" rating and a $72.00 target price on the stock. Zacks Research raised Equity Lifestyle Properties from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Zelman & Associates began coverage on Equity Lifestyle Properties in a report on Monday, March 16th. They set an "underperform" rating and a $59.25 target price on the stock. Barclays reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $71.00 target price (up from $68.00) on shares of Equity Lifestyle Properties in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reissued an "equal weight" rating and set a $70.00 target price (up from $68.00) on shares of Equity Lifestyle Properties in a report on Friday, February 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $69.05.

Equity Lifestyle Properties Stock Down 0.1%

NYSE:ELS opened at $64.00 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.57 and a beta of 0.76. Equity Lifestyle Properties has a twelve month low of $58.15 and a twelve month high of $69.00. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $65.86 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $63.16. The company has a quick ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 0.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30.

Insider Buying and Selling at Equity Lifestyle Properties

In other news, Director David J. Contis sold 3,000 shares of Equity Lifestyle Properties stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.22, for a total transaction of $201,660.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 14,890 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,000,905.80. This trade represents a 16.77% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.80% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Equity Lifestyle Properties

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ELS. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its position in shares of Equity Lifestyle Properties by 14.1% in the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 6,516 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $435,000 after acquiring an additional 804 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Equity Lifestyle Properties by 598.5% in the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 119,397 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $7,964,000 after acquiring an additional 102,303 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Equity Lifestyle Properties by 62.3% in the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 23,114 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $1,542,000 after acquiring an additional 8,873 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in shares of Equity Lifestyle Properties by 111.0% in the second quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 10,122 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $624,000 after acquiring an additional 5,325 shares during the period. Finally, Gamco Investors INC. ET AL bought a new stake in shares of Equity Lifestyle Properties in the second quarter valued at about $300,000. Institutional investors own 97.21% of the company's stock.

Equity Lifestyle Properties Company Profile

Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc NYSE: ELS is a publicly traded real estate investment trust specializing in the acquisition, development, ownership and operation of manufactured home communities and recreational vehicle resorts. The company's portfolio includes more than 450 properties across the United States and Canada, serving over 200,000 residents and visitors. ELS organizes its operations into two primary segments: manufactured housing communities, which provide long-term housing solutions, and upscale RV and seasonal resorts designed for leisure travelers and seasonal patrons.

In its manufactured home division, ELS offers home-site leases combined with community amenities such as landscaped common areas, clubhouses, swimming pools and organized resident events.

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