Sigma Planning Corp Sells 11,719 Shares of Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR)

Sigma Planning Corp decreased its holdings in shares of Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR) by 53.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 10,086 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock after selling 11,719 shares during the quarter. Sigma Planning Corp’s holdings in Ventas were worth $503,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ventas during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its position in Ventas by 151.1% during the third quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 796 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 479 shares during the last quarter. Gradient Investments LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Ventas by 82.7% during the fourth quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 718 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 325 shares during the period. NBC Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Ventas in the third quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV increased its stake in shares of Ventas by 73.4% during the fourth quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 1,408 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 596 shares during the period. 94.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Ventas Price Performance

Shares of VTR opened at $43.36 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41. The stock has a market cap of $17.52 billion, a PE ratio of -394.15, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.26. Ventas, Inc. has a 12-month low of $39.33 and a 12-month high of $50.99. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $43.22 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $45.05.

Ventas Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 1st were paid a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.15%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 28th. Ventas’s dividend payout ratio is currently -1,636.21%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on VTR shares. Mizuho upped their price objective on Ventas from $53.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of Ventas from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $50.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 18th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Ventas in a research report on Tuesday, January 30th. They set a “buy” rating and a $60.00 price objective for the company. StockNews.com downgraded Ventas from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reissued an “equal weight” rating and set a $46.00 price target (down previously from $52.00) on shares of Ventas in a report on Monday, February 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $51.25.

Ventas Profile

Ventas Inc (NYSE: VTR) is a leading S&P 500 real estate investment trust focused on delivering strong, sustainable shareholder returns by enabling exceptional environments that benefit a large and growing aging population. The Company's growth is fueled by its senior housing communities, which provide valuable services to residents and enable them to thrive in supported environments.