Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR) Given Consensus Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR - Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by the thirteen brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $51.23.

A number of analysts have recently commented on VTR shares. StockNews.com lowered shares of Ventas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Ventas in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a "buy" rating and a $60.00 target price on the stock. Scotiabank lifted their target price on shares of Ventas from $47.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 16th. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an "equal weight" rating and set a $46.00 target price (down from $52.00) on shares of Ventas in a report on Monday, February 26th. Finally, Evercore ISI raised shares of Ventas from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $50.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday, March 18th.

Ventas Stock Performance

NYSE VTR traded up $0.10 on Wednesday, hitting $48.47. The stock had a trading volume of 1,527,664 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,333,638. Ventas has a 52-week low of $39.33 and a 52-week high of $50.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a current ratio of 0.63. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $44.46 and a 200-day moving average of $45.65.

Ventas Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 1st will be issued a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.71%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 1st. Ventas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -947.32%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Ventas

In other news, Director Walter C. Rakowich sold 2,145 shares of Ventas stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.40, for a total value of $103,818.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 26,031 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,259,900.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director Walter C. Rakowich sold 2,145 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.40, for a total transaction of $103,818.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 26,031 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,259,900.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Robert F. Probst sold 18,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.11, for a total value of $871,535.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 176,403 shares in the company, valued at $8,310,345.33. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 35,270 shares of company stock worth $1,672,966 in the last 90 days. 1.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Ventas by 4,831.0% during the fourth quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 231,856 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $11,556,000 after purchasing an additional 227,154 shares during the last quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System increased its position in Ventas by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 776,160 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $32,700,000 after purchasing an additional 9,194 shares during the last quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC increased its position in Ventas by 10.4% in the 4th quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 86,912 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $4,332,000 after purchasing an additional 8,199 shares during the last quarter. Lincluden Management Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Ventas during the 4th quarter valued at about $2,170,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC increased its holdings in shares of Ventas by 114.9% during the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 47,578 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $2,371,000 after acquiring an additional 25,442 shares during the last quarter. 94.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Ventas Company Profile

Ventas Inc NYSE: VTR is a leading S&P 500 real estate investment trust focused on delivering strong, sustainable shareholder returns by enabling exceptional environments that benefit a large and growing aging population. The Company's growth is fueled by its senior housing communities, which provide valuable services to residents and enable them to thrive in supported environments.