Entropy Technologies LP Raises Stock Position in Welltower Inc. (NYSE:WELL)

Key Points

• Entropy Technologies LP increased its holdings in Welltower Inc. by 73.7%, owning 15,959 shares valued at approximately $2.45 million.
• Several institutional investors have also significantly boosted their stakes in Welltower, including GAMMA Investing LLC with a 17,343.3% increase during the first quarter.
• Welltower announced a quarterly dividend of $0.74 per share, representing a yield of 1.8% and an increase from the previous dividend of $0.67.

Entropy Technologies LP grew its position in Welltower Inc. (NYSE:WELL - Free Report) by 73.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 15,959 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock after acquiring an additional 6,772 shares during the period. Entropy Technologies LP's holdings in Welltower were worth $2,445,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in Welltower by 53.5% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 8,430,496 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $1,062,495,000 after acquiring an additional 2,939,229 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in Welltower by 17,343.3% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,738,052 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $266,287,000 after acquiring an additional 1,728,088 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in Welltower by 9.7% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 18,706,788 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $2,357,617,000 after acquiring an additional 1,652,611 shares during the period. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new stake in Welltower during the 4th quarter worth about $194,272,000. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its holdings in Welltower by 27.9% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,728,921 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $724,518,000 after acquiring an additional 1,030,599 shares during the period. 94.80% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

WELL has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Welltower from $158.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, June 2nd. Evercore ISI raised their target price on Welltower from $162.00 to $175.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Scotiabank restated an "outperform" rating on shares of Welltower in a research note on Monday, June 23rd. Wedbush restated an "underperform" rating on shares of Welltower in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Welltower from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $169.82.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Andrew Gundlach acquired 20,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 30th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $151.46 per share, for a total transaction of $3,029,200.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 20,000 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,029,200. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.21% of the company's stock.

Welltower Trading Down 1.0%

Shares of NYSE WELL traded down $1.71 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $163.08. 3,029,061 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,382,796. Welltower Inc. has a 12-month low of $115.18 and a 12-month high of $171.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 4.19 and a current ratio of 4.19. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $157.32 and a 200 day moving average price of $150.98. The firm has a market cap of $109.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 92.14, a P/E/G ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 0.93.

Welltower (NYSE:WELL - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.06. Welltower had a net margin of 12.18% and a return on equity of 3.38%. The firm had revenue of $2.55 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.49 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.05 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 39.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Welltower Inc. will post 4.88 earnings per share for the current year.

Welltower Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 21st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 12th will be given a $0.74 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, August 12th. This is a boost from Welltower's previous quarterly dividend of $0.67. This represents a $2.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. Welltower's payout ratio is 167.23%.

About Welltower

Welltower Inc NYSE: WELL, a real estate investment trust ("REIT") and S&P 500 company headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, is driving the transformation of health care infrastructure. Welltower invests with leading seniors housing operators, post-acute providers and health systems to fund the real estate infrastructure needed to scale innovative care delivery models and improve people's wellness and overall health care experience.