Fintel reports that on October 3, 2023, Wedbush initiated coverage of Ventas (NYSE:VTR) with a Neutral recommendation.
Analyst Price Forecast Suggests 26.71% Upside
As of August 31, 2023, the average one-year price target for Ventas is 52.38. The forecasts range from a low of 45.45 to a high of $60.90. The average price target represents an increase of 26.71% from its latest reported closing price of 41.34.
See our leaderboard of companies with the largest price target upside.
The projected annual revenue for Ventas is 4,424MM, an increase of 3.95%. The projected annual non-GAAP EPS is 0.37.
Ventas Declares $0.45 Dividend
On September 13, 2023 the company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.45 per share ($1.80 annualized). Shareholders of record as of October 2, 2023 will receive the payment on October 12, 2023. Previously, the company paid $0.45 per share.
At the current share price of $41.34 / share, the stock's dividend yield is 4.35%.
Looking back five years and taking a sample every week, the average dividend yield has been 4.50%, the lowest has been 2.86%, and the highest has been 13.78%. The standard deviation of yields is 1.72 (n=236).
The current dividend yield is 0.08 standard deviations below the historical average.
Additionally, the company's dividend payout ratio is 9.38. The payout ratio tells us how much of a company's income is paid out in dividends. A payout ratio of one (1.0) means 100% of the company's income is paid in a dividend. A payout ratio greater than one means the company is dipping into savings in order to maintain its dividend - not a healthy situation. Companies with few growth prospects are expected to pay out most of their income in dividends, which typically means a payout ratio between 0.5 and 1.0. Companies with good growth prospects are expected to retain some earnings in order to invest in those growth prospects, which translates to a payout ratio of zero to 0.5.
The company has not increased its dividend in the last three years.
What is the Fund Sentiment?
There are 1346 funds or institutions reporting positions in Ventas. This is an increase of 7 owner(s) or 0.52% in the last quarter. Average portfolio weight of all funds dedicated to VTR is 0.39%, an increase of 12.83%. Total shares owned by institutions increased in the last three months by 1.22% to 422,394K shares. 
The put/call ratio of VTR is 0.93, indicating a bullish outlook.
What are Other Shareholders Doing?
Jpmorgan Chase holds 27,167K shares representing 6.75% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 24,243K shares, representing an increase of 10.76%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in VTR by 768.07% over the last quarter.
Principal Financial Group holds 19,361K shares representing 4.81% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 16,968K shares, representing an increase of 12.36%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in VTR by 18.95% over the last quarter.
APG Asset Management US holds 17,555K shares representing 4.36% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 18,160K shares, representing a decrease of 3.45%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in VTR by 3.13% over the last quarter.
VGSIX - Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Investor Shares holds 16,857K shares representing 4.19% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 17,567K shares, representing a decrease of 4.21%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in VTR by 5.18% over the last quarter.
VTSMX - Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares holds 12,479K shares representing 3.10% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 12,390K shares, representing an increase of 0.71%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in VTR by 1.33% over the last quarter.
Ventas Background Information
(This description is provided by the company.)
Ventas Inc., an S&P 500 company, operates at the intersection of two powerful and dynamic industries - healthcare and real estate. As one of the world's foremost Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT), Ventas uses the power of capital to unlock the value of real estate, partnering with leading care providers, developers, research and medical institutions, innovators and healthcare organizations whose success is buoyed by the demographic tailwind of an aging population. For more than twenty years, Ventas has followed a successful strategy that endures: combining a high-quality diversified portfolio of properties and capital sources to manage through cycles, working with industry leading partners, and a collaborative and experienced team focused on producing consistent growing cash flows and superior returns on a strong balance sheet, ultimately rewarding Ventas stakeholders. As of December 31, 2020, Ventas owned or managed through unconsolidated real estate entities approximately 1,200 properties.
Fintel is one of the most comprehensive investing research platforms available to individual investors, traders, financial advisors, and small hedge funds.
Our data covers the world, and includes fundamentals, analyst reports, ownership data and fund sentiment, options sentiment, insider trading, options flow, unusual options trades, and much more. Additionally, our exclusive stock picks are powered by advanced, backtested quantitative models for improved profits.
This story originally appeared on Fintel.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
