VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al Takes Position in Ventas, Inc. $VTR

Key Points

• Virginia Retirement Systems initiated a position in Ventas during the second quarter, purchasing 194,187 shares valued at approximately $17.2 million. Institutional investors collectively own 94.18% of the healthcare REIT.
• Ventas reported quarterly earnings of $0.97 per share, exceeding estimates by $0.01, while revenue rose 21.7% year over year to $1.73 billion.
• Analyst sentiment remains favorable, with a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $99, compared with the stock’s reported opening price of $90.27.

VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al bought a new position in Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 194,187 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock, valued at approximately $17,244,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. California State Teachers Retirement System grew its holdings in Ventas by 9,549.4% during the 2nd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 65,366,390 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $5,804,535,000 after purchasing an additional 64,688,974 shares during the last quarter. Readystate Asset Management LP purchased a new stake in Ventas in the 2nd quarter worth about $1,814,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in Ventas in the second quarter worth about $57,000. HB Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Ventas by 6.0% in the second quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 17,724 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $1,574,000 after purchasing an additional 1,004 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Saudi Central Bank boosted its position in shares of Ventas by 92.0% during the second quarter. Saudi Central Bank now owns 33,282 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $2,955,000 after buying an additional 15,944 shares during the period. 94.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Ventas Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:VTR opened at $90.27 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $46.30 billion, a PE ratio of 167.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.52 and a beta of 0.70. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $92.96 and its 200-day simple moving average is $87.86. Ventas, Inc. has a one year low of $66.38 and a one year high of $101.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a current ratio of 0.44.

Ventas (NYSE:VTR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.97 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.96 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $1.73 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.68 billion. Ventas had a net margin of 4.08% and a return on equity of 1.99%. The company's revenue was up 21.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.87 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Ventas, Inc. will post 3.89 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently commented on VTR shares. Weiss Ratings raised Ventas from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 21st. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Ventas from $96.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 1st. Raymond James Financial started coverage on Ventas in a report on Tuesday, June 16th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $94.00 price objective for the company. Barclays upped their price objective on Ventas from $99.00 to $102.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, August 31st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $110.00 target price on shares of Ventas in a research note on Tuesday, May 19th. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $99.00.

Ventas Company Profile

Ventas, Inc NYSE: VTR is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that specializes in healthcare-related real estate. The company acquires, owns and manages a diversified portfolio of properties serving the healthcare continuum, including senior housing communities, skilled nursing facilities, medical office buildings, life science and research centers, and other properties leased to healthcare providers and operators. Ventas generates revenue through long-term leases, property management and selective development activities focused on meeting the real estate needs of the healthcare sector.

Ventas' business model combines property ownership with active asset management and capital markets activity.

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