BNP Paribas Financial Markets Purchases 110,083 Shares of Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its position in shares of Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR - Free Report) by 30.8% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 466,980 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock after acquiring an additional 110,083 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets owned approximately 0.12% of Ventas worth $23,274,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VTR. Lindbrook Capital LLC boosted its position in Ventas by 6.6% during the 4th quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 3,881 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $193,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Ventas by 14.6% in the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 1,954 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $96,000 after buying an additional 249 shares in the last quarter. Global Wealth Management Investment Advisory Inc. grew its stake in shares of Ventas by 2.7% in the fourth quarter. Global Wealth Management Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 9,493 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $473,000 after buying an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. Capital Square LLC raised its holdings in shares of Ventas by 2.5% during the 3rd quarter. Capital Square LLC now owns 10,569 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $456,000 after buying an additional 253 shares during the period. Finally, Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Ventas by 2.9% during the 4th quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 10,584 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $528,000 after buying an additional 295 shares during the period. 94.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at Ventas

In related news, 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 transaction of $871,535.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 176,403 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,310,345.33. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CAO Gregory R. Liebbe sold 14,625 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.70, for a total transaction of $697,612.50. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 12,524 shares of the company's stock, valued at $597,394.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Robert F. Probst sold 18,500 shares of Ventas stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.11, for a total transaction of $871,535.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 176,403 shares in the company, valued at $8,310,345.33. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.00% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated 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. Evercore ISI upgraded Ventas from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $50.00 target price on the stock in a report on Monday, March 18th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Ventas in a report on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a "buy" rating and a $60.00 target price on the stock. Bank of America upgraded Ventas from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and raised their target price for the company from $48.00 to $53.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Ventas from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $51.25.

Ventas Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE VTR traded up $0.35 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $47.96. The stock had a trading volume of 1,583,523 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,351,857. Ventas, Inc. has a one year low of $39.33 and a one year 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 stock has a market cap of $19.41 billion, a PE ratio of -252.30, a P/E/G ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 1.25. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $43.88 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $45.41.

Ventas Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 1st will be issued a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.75%. Ventas's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -947.32%.

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.