Ventas (NYSE:VTR) Rating Lowered to “Sell” at StockNews.com

Ventas (NYSE:VTR) was downgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a note issued to investors on Friday.

A number of other research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Ventas from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and raised their target price for the company from $61.00 to $71.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 1st. Scotiabank lifted their price target on Ventas from $59.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Friday, October 11th. Wedbush reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $75.00 target price on shares of Ventas in a research note on Tuesday, December 3rd. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Ventas from $64.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, September 16th. Finally, Mizuho reduced their price objective on shares of Ventas from $71.00 to $68.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $65.63.

Ventas Stock Down 0.2 %

Ventas stock opened at $59.91 on Friday. Ventas has a 12-month low of $41.45 and a 12-month high of $67.61. The company has a market capitalization of $25.13 billion, a PE ratio of -352.41, a PEG ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 1.36. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $63.71 and its 200 day moving average is $59.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39.

Insider Buying and Selling at Ventas

In related news, CEO Debra A. Cafaro sold 121,248 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.17, for a total transaction of $8,022,980.16. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 986,717 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $65,291,063.89. This trade represents a 10.94 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ventas

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Ventas by 11.5% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,252,460 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $80,070,000 after purchasing an additional 128,945 shares in the last quarter. Synovus Financial Corp grew its holdings in shares of Ventas by 11.7% during the third quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 12,712 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $815,000 after buying an additional 1,336 shares in the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC raised its holdings in Ventas by 18.4% in the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 9,952 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $634,000 after acquiring an additional 1,550 shares during the last quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Ventas by 29.1% in the third quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 32,455 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $2,063,000 after purchasing an additional 7,307 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Toronto Dominion Bank increased its stake in shares of Ventas by 3.0% in the 3rd quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 202,965 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $13,016,000 after acquiring an additional 5,870 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.18% of the company’s stock.

About Ventas

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.