Analysts Set Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR) Price Target at $96.50

Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR) has been given a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” by the nineteen research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and fifteen have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $97.00.

A number of analysts recently issued reports on VTR shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on shares of Ventas from $93.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, May 11th. Scotiabank dropped their target price on shares of Ventas from $95.00 to $88.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, June 18th. Evercore reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $95.00 target price on shares of Ventas in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised their price target on shares of Ventas from $97.00 to $102.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Raymond James Financial began 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.

Insider Buying and Selling at Ventas

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

Institutional Trading of Ventas

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Dynamic Wealth Strategies LLC bought a new stake in Ventas during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Wiser Advisor Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Ventas in the third quarter worth $27,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. bought a new position in shares of Ventas in the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Elyxium Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Ventas in the fourth quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Reflection Asset Management purchased a new position in shares of Ventas in the fourth quarter valued at $34,000. 94.18% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Ventas Trading Up 0.5%

Shares of Ventas stock opened at $93.94 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $45.67 billion, a PE ratio of 173.96, a P/E/G ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.69. Ventas has a 1 year low of $65.82 and a 1 year high of $101.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.44 and a quick ratio of 0.44. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $88.99 and a 200-day moving average price of $85.65.

Ventas Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 30th were given a $0.52 dividend. This represents a $2.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 30th. Ventas’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 385.19%.

About Ventas

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.