Brighton Jones LLC has made a significant investment in Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR), acquiring a stake valued at approximately $652,000. This purchase occurred during the third quarter of the year, as detailed in the firm’s recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The investment consists of 9,314 shares of the real estate investment trust (REIT), which focuses on healthcare-related properties.
In addition to Brighton Jones, several other institutional investors have also recently adjusted their positions in Ventas. For instance, Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. raised its holdings by 3.8% in the second quarter, now owning 4,260 shares valued at $269,000. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC similarly increased its stake by 3.8%, acquiring an additional 158 shares to reach 4,335 shares worth $274,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC saw a notable increase of 52.7% in its stake, bringing its total to 536 shares valued at $34,000.
As of now, institutional investors and hedge funds own approximately 94.18% of Ventas’s stock, indicating strong confidence in the company’s prospects.
Current Market Performance and Financial Outlook
On the trading front, Ventas shares opened at $79.62 last Friday, with a 52-week range between $56.68 and $81.89. The company boasts a market capitalization of $37.40 billion and reports a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. Ventas recently announced its earnings results on October 29, 2023, reporting earnings per share (EPS) of $0.88, surpassing analysts’ expectations of $0.87 by $0.01. The firm generated revenues of $1.49 billion, exceeding estimates of $1.44 billion, and marked a 20.5% increase in revenue year-over-year.
Looking ahead, Ventas has set its fiscal year 2025 guidance at $3.450–$3.480 EPS. Analysts predict that the company will report an EPS of $3.40 for the current year.
Dividend Announcement and Analyst Ratings
In further news, Ventas has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.48 per share, to be disbursed on January 15, 2024. This dividend will be given to shareholders on record as of December 31, 2023, with an ex-dividend date also set for December 31. Annually, this equates to a total dividend of $1.92, representing a yield of 2.4%. Notably, the company’s dividend payout ratio stands at 369.23%.
Recent commentary from several equity analysts reflects a generally positive outlook on Ventas. UBS Group initiated coverage with a “neutral” rating and a price target of $73.00. KeyCorp, however, raised its price target from $70.00 to $85.00, designating the stock as “overweight.” Wells Fargo & Company also increased its target from $80.00 to $88.00, maintaining an “overweight” rating.
As it stands, one analyst has assigned a “Strong Buy” rating to Ventas, while thirteen have given it a “Buy” rating, and four have categorized it as a “Hold.” The average rating is classified as a “Moderate Buy,” with a consensus price target of $79.31, according to MarketBeat.com.
In insider trading news, CEO Debra A. Cafaro sold 41,294 shares on November 17, 2023, for a total of approximately $3.26 million. Following this transaction, Cafaro’s remaining shares are valued at around $90.52 million. Another insider, CEO Peter J. Bulgarelli, sold 2,229 shares on November 19, 2023, valued at roughly $178,498. Over the past 90 days, corporate insiders have divested 688,184 shares worth around $50.73 million.
As Ventas continues its focus on healthcare real estate, its diversified portfolio and active management strategies position it favorably for future growth. The company’s ongoing developments in the healthcare sector suggest it will remain a significant player in the REIT market.
