Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund Increases Position in Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG)

Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund increased its position in shares of Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG) by 100.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 68,360 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 34,300 shares during the period. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund’s holdings in Regency Centers were worth $5,054,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in REG. Creative Planning grew its position in Regency Centers by 6.5% during the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 13,276 shares of the company’s stock worth $959,000 after buying an additional 816 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its position in Regency Centers by 7,209.8% during the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 18,567 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,341,000 after buying an additional 18,313 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its position in shares of Regency Centers by 43.7% in the third quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 6,817 shares of the company’s stock valued at $492,000 after purchasing an additional 2,073 shares during the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Regency Centers in the third quarter valued at approximately $210,000. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of Regency Centers by 36.1% in the third quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 26,570 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,898,000 after purchasing an additional 7,044 shares during the last quarter. 96.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Regency Centers Price Performance

Shares of Regency Centers stock opened at $75.45 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.95. Regency Centers Co. has a fifty-two week low of $56.51 and a fifty-two week high of $76.53. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $72.59 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $72.68. The company has a market cap of $13.68 billion, a PE ratio of 35.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.75 and a beta of 1.22.

Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.61. Regency Centers had a net margin of 27.54% and a return on equity of 5.91%. Analysts expect that Regency Centers Co. will post 4.54 EPS for the current year.

Regency Centers Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be paid a $0.705 dividend. This represents a $2.82 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.74%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 12th. Regency Centers’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 133.02%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Michael J. Mas sold 20,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.60, for a total value of $1,472,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 54,020 shares in the company, valued at $3,975,872. This represents a 27.02 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Lisa Palmer sold 25,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.26, for a total transaction of $1,831,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 139,923 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $10,250,758.98. This trade represents a 15.16 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on REG. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Regency Centers from $77.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Mizuho increased their price target on shares of Regency Centers from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on shares of Regency Centers from $78.00 to $77.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 24th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of Regency Centers from $71.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Regency Centers from $81.00 to $80.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $78.08.

About Regency Centers

Regency Centers is a preeminent national owner, operator, and developer of shopping centers located in suburban trade areas with compelling demographics. Our portfolio includes thriving properties merchandised with highly productive grocers, restaurants, service providers, and best-in-class retailers that connect to their neighborhoods, communities, and customers.