Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated (NYSE:HR) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated (NYSE:HR) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of November. As of November 15th, there was short interest totalling 14,680,000 shares, a growth of 29.8% from the October 31st total of 11,310,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 3,610,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.1 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

HR has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Wedbush upped their price target on shares of Healthcare Realty Trust from $15.00 to $18.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an “underweight” rating and set a $17.00 price objective (up from $16.00) on shares of Healthcare Realty Trust in a research note on Tuesday, October 1st. Finally, Scotiabank lifted their target price on Healthcare Realty Trust from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $17.17.

Insider Activity at Healthcare Realty Trust

In other news, Director John Knox Singleton bought 6,500 shares of Healthcare Realty Trust stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 5th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $18.24 per share, with a total value of $118,560.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 57,082 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,041,175.68. This trade represents a 12.85 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Thomas N. Bohjalian purchased 7,750 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 22nd. The shares were purchased at an average price of $17.39 per share, with a total value of $134,772.50. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 50,002 shares in the company, valued at $869,534.78. This represents a 18.34 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.56% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Healthcare Realty Trust

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Pzena Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Healthcare Realty Trust during the third quarter worth approximately $40,392,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its position in Healthcare Realty Trust by 358.2% during the 3rd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 2,142,110 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $38,879,000 after purchasing an additional 1,674,583 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Healthcare Realty Trust in the 2nd quarter worth $10,304,000. Candriam S.C.A. bought a new position in shares of Healthcare Realty Trust during the 2nd quarter worth $8,911,000. Finally, Millennium Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Healthcare Realty Trust by 1,003.2% during the second quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 435,977 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $7,185,000 after buying an additional 396,456 shares during the period.

Healthcare Realty Trust Stock Up 0.1 %

Healthcare Realty Trust stock traded up $0.02 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $18.34. The stock had a trading volume of 56,833 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,508,766. Healthcare Realty Trust has a 52-week low of $12.77 and a 52-week high of $18.90. The company has a fifty day moving average of $17.75 and a 200 day moving average of $17.36. The firm has a market cap of $6.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -11.59 and a beta of 0.91.

Healthcare Realty Trust Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 27th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 12th were paid a dividend of $0.31 per share. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 12th. Healthcare Realty Trust’s dividend payout ratio is currently -78.48%.

About Healthcare Realty Trust

Healthcare Realty (NYSE: HR) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns and operates medical outpatient buildings primarily located around market-leading hospital campuses. The Company selectively grows its portfolio through property acquisition and development. As the first and largest REIT to specialize in medical outpatient buildings, Healthcare Realty's portfolio includes more than 700 properties totaling over 40 million square feet concentrated in 15 growth markets.