Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank Sells 37,663 Shares of Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR)

Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank cut its stake in shares of Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR - Free Report) by 11.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 283,173 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock after selling 37,663 shares during the quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank owned 0.07% of Ventas worth $14,113,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. FMR LLC lifted its position in shares of Ventas by 7.1% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 22,246,452 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $937,243,000 after purchasing an additional 1,483,908 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Ventas by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 19,691,981 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $829,619,000 after acquiring an additional 331,019 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Ventas by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 9,157,232 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $396,158,000 after acquiring an additional 201,327 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Ventas by 37.5% in the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 6,602,496 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $312,100,000 after purchasing an additional 1,801,365 shares during the period. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc boosted its position in shares of Ventas by 3.2% during the third quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 5,575,523 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $234,897,000 after purchasing an additional 173,415 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.18% of the company's stock.

Ventas Stock Performance

VTR traded up $0.49 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $43.13. 1,690,476 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,406,998. The company's 50-day moving average is $43.39 and its 200 day moving average is $44.95. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.43 billion, a PE ratio of -392.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 1.26. Ventas, Inc. has a 52 week low of $39.33 and a 52 week high of $50.99.

Ventas Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 18th. Investors of record on Monday, April 1st were given a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 28th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.17%. Ventas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -1,636.36%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on VTR shares. StockNews.com cut shares of Ventas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. Evercore ISI raised shares of Ventas from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $50.00 target price for the company in a research note on Monday, March 18th. Mizuho lifted their target price on shares of Ventas from $53.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company restated an "equal weight" rating and issued a $46.00 price target (down previously from $52.00) on shares of Ventas in a research note on Monday, February 26th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded Ventas from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $48.00 to $53.00 in a research note on Tuesday, January 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $51.54.

About Ventas

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.