Regency Centers Corporation $REG Shares Purchased by Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co

Key Points

• Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co boosted its position in Regency Centers by 27.4% to 197,737 shares, worth about $13.65 million at the end of the quarter.
• Regency pays a quarterly dividend of $0.755 (annualized $3.02) for a 3.8% yield, but its dividend payout ratio is 104.14%, indicating the payout may exceed current earnings.
• Chairman Martin E. Stein Jr. sold 38,000 shares (a 19.4% reduction in his stake) on March 11, insiders have sold 177,490 shares in the last 90 days, and institutional investors own 96.07% of the stock.

Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co boosted its position in Regency Centers Corporation (NASDAQ:REG - Free Report) by 27.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 197,737 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 42,500 shares during the quarter. Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co owned 0.11% of Regency Centers worth $13,650,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in REG. Wolverine Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Regency Centers in the third quarter worth $1,083,000. Centersquare Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Regency Centers by 5.7% in the third quarter. Centersquare Investment Management LLC now owns 351,963 shares of the company's stock worth $25,658,000 after buying an additional 18,997 shares during the period. Pensionfund Sabic acquired a new stake in shares of Regency Centers in the fourth quarter worth $1,339,000. Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV boosted its position in shares of Regency Centers by 68.6% in the fourth quarter. Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV now owns 53,562 shares of the company's stock worth $3,697,000 after buying an additional 21,799 shares during the period. Finally, Pacific Heights Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Regency Centers by 50.0% in the third quarter. Pacific Heights Asset Management LLC now owns 225,000 shares of the company's stock worth $16,402,000 after buying an additional 75,000 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.07% of the company's stock.

Regency Centers Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:REG opened at $78.75 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 2.06, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. Regency Centers Corporation has a 1 year low of $66.86 and a 1 year high of $81.66. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $77.84 and a 200 day simple moving average of $73.32. The firm has a market cap of $14.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.16, a P/E/G ratio of 3.38 and a beta of 0.82.

Regency Centers Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 11th were issued a dividend of $0.755 per share. This represents a $3.02 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 11th. Regency Centers's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 104.14%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Chairman Martin E. Stein, Jr. sold 38,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $77.21, for a total transaction of $2,933,980.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman directly owned 157,892 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,190,841.32. This trade represents a 19.40% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders sold 177,490 shares of company stock worth $13,839,932 in the last ninety days. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently commented on REG shares. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Regency Centers from $85.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Regency Centers from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $83.00 target price for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised Regency Centers to a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Barclays raised their target price on Regency Centers from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Regency Centers from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $80.57.

Regency Centers Profile

Regency Centers Corporation is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in the ownership, operation and development of grocery-anchored shopping centers. Focused on everyday needs retail, the company's portfolio is strategically concentrated in high-growth, densely populated markets across the United States. By aligning its properties with essential retailers, Regency Centers delivers stable income streams and drives sustained value for shareholders.

Founded in 1963 and headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Regency Centers began as a single shopping center developer before evolving into one of the largest owners of grocery-center real estate.

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