Generali Asset Management SPA SGR Acquires New Position in Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG)

Generali Asset Management SPA SGR purchased a new stake in shares of Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 6,892 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $510,000.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in REG. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its position in Regency Centers by 1,138.5% in the 3rd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 2,075,753 shares of the company’s stock worth $149,932,000 after purchasing an additional 1,908,153 shares during the period. Waterfront Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Regency Centers in the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,628,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in Regency Centers by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 11,090,347 shares of the company’s stock valued at $801,056,000 after acquiring an additional 435,932 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its position in Regency Centers by 4.2% during the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 9,182,664 shares of the company’s stock worth $678,873,000 after acquiring an additional 366,427 shares during the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI increased its stake in Regency Centers by 701.7% in the 3rd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 361,597 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,118,000 after purchasing an additional 316,496 shares during the period. 96.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on REG shares. BTIG Research raised their target price on shares of Regency Centers from $72.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Mizuho increased their target price on shares of Regency Centers from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on Regency Centers from $81.00 to $80.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 29th. Finally, Evercore ISI reduced their target price on Regency Centers from $78.00 to $77.00 and set an “in-line” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 24th. 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $78.08.

Insider Transactions at Regency Centers

In other news, CEO Lisa Palmer sold 25,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.26, for a total transaction of $1,831,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 139,923 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $10,250,758.98. This represents a 15.16 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Chairman Martin E. Stein, Jr. sold 50,000 shares of Regency Centers stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.48, for a total value of $3,674,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 110,263 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,102,125.24. The trade was a 31.20 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 95,000 shares of company stock worth $6,977,500. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock.

Regency Centers Price Performance

REG stock opened at $72.04 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 0.85. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.98, a PEG ratio of 3.75 and a beta of 1.23. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $72.92 and a 200-day moving average price of $73.01. Regency Centers Co. has a 52-week low of $56.51 and a 52-week high of $78.18.

Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.61. Regency Centers had a return on equity of 5.91% and a net margin of 27.54%. Equities research analysts forecast that Regency Centers Co. will post 4.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Regency Centers Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 2nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th will be issued a $0.705 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 12th. This represents a $2.82 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.91%. Regency Centers’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 133.02%.

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.