Simplicity Solutions LLC Buys 582 Shares of Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR)

Simplicity Solutions LLC grew its stake in shares of Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR) by 10.4% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 6,164 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock after acquiring an additional 582 shares during the period. Simplicity Solutions LLC’s holdings in Ventas were worth $307,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Ventas in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its position in Ventas by 151.1% during the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 796 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 479 shares in the last quarter. Gradient Investments LLC raised its stake in Ventas by 82.7% in the 4th 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 last quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new position in Ventas in the 1st quarter worth $41,000. Finally, Ronald Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in Ventas by 421.7% during the 3rd quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 986 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 797 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.18% of the company’s stock.

Ventas Stock Performance

Shares of VTR stock opened at $43.13 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 company has a 50-day moving average of $43.34 and a two-hundred day moving average of $45.00. Ventas, Inc. has a 1-year low of $39.33 and a 1-year high of $50.99.

Ventas Dividend Announcement

The firm 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 4.17%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 28th. Ventas’s payout ratio is -1,636.21%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Bank of America raised Ventas from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their price objective for the company from $48.00 to $53.00 in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Ventas from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of Ventas from an “in-line” rating to an “outperform” rating and set a $50.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Monday, March 18th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft began coverage on shares of Ventas in a research note on Tuesday, January 30th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $60.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company restated an “equal weight” rating and set a $46.00 target price (down from $52.00) on shares of Ventas in a research report on Monday, February 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $51.54.

Ventas Company 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.