Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR) have earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the nineteen analysts that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $97.5556.

VTR has been the topic of a number of research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on Ventas from $91.00 to $98.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $100.00 price target on shares of Ventas in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Raymond James Financial initiated coverage on shares of Ventas in a report on Tuesday, June 16th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $94.00 price target on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $110.00 price objective on shares of Ventas in a research note on Tuesday, May 19th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $100.00 price objective on shares of Ventas in a report on Tuesday, June 16th.

Ventas Trading Up 0.2%

Ventas stock opened at $91.07 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $89.10 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $85.85. The company has a quick ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86. The stock has a market cap of $46.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 168.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 0.69. Ventas has a 12 month low of $66.38 and a 12 month high of $101.60.

Ventas Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 16th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 30th were given a $0.52 dividend. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 30th. Ventas’s dividend payout ratio is 385.19%.

Insider Transactions at Ventas

In related news, Director Michael J. Embler acquired 2,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 3rd. The shares were bought at an average cost of $78.81 per share, for a total transaction of $197,025.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 19,202 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,513,309.62. This trade represents a 14.97% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Walter C. Rakowich sold 1,152 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.20, for a total value of $103,910.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 28,349 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,557,079.80. The trade was a 3.90% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.53% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Dynamic Wealth Strategies LLC bought a new position in shares of Ventas in the first quarter worth about $25,000. Wiser Advisor Group LLC acquired a new position in Ventas during the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Ventas during the fourth quarter worth about $30,000. Elyxium Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ventas during the fourth quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Reflection Asset Management bought a new position in Ventas during the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. 94.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Ventas Company Profile

Ventas, Inc (NYSE: VTR) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that specializes in healthcare-related real estate. The company acquires, owns and manages a diversified portfolio of properties serving the healthcare continuum, including senior housing communities, skilled nursing facilities, medical office buildings, life science and research centers, and other properties leased to healthcare providers and operators. Ventas generates revenue through long-term leases, property management and selective development activities focused on meeting the real estate needs of the healthcare sector.

Ventas’ business model combines property ownership with active asset management and capital markets activity.