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

Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated (NYSE:HR) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 14,280,000 shares, a decline of 5.2% from the November 30th total of 15,060,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,160,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.5 days.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, COO Robert E. Hull sold 10,000 shares of Healthcare Realty Trust stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.48, for a total transaction of $174,800.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 171,400 shares in the company, valued at $2,996,072. This trade represents a 5.51 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Thomas N. Bohjalian purchased 7,750 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The shares were acquired at an average price of $17.39 per share, for a total transaction of $134,772.50. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 50,002 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $869,534.78. This trade represents a 18.34 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have purchased 18,750 shares of company stock valued at $323,723. 0.56% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Healthcare Realty Trust

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its position in Healthcare Realty Trust by 38.1% in the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 2,276 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 628 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Healthcare Realty Trust by 260.6% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,809 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 2,030 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in shares of Healthcare Realty Trust in the third quarter valued at approximately $65,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in shares of Healthcare Realty Trust during the third quarter valued at approximately $78,000. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Healthcare Realty Trust during the third quarter worth $89,000.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

HR has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company restated an “underweight” rating and issued a $17.00 target price (up previously from $16.00) on shares of Healthcare Realty Trust in a report on Tuesday, October 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Healthcare Realty Trust from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $19.00 price objective on the stock. in a research note on Friday, December 20th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have assigned a hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $17.50.

Healthcare Realty Trust Price Performance

HR stock opened at $16.95 on Thursday. The company’s 50-day moving average is $17.55 and its 200-day moving average is $17.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.01 billion, a PE ratio of -10.73 and a beta of 0.93. Healthcare Realty Trust has a 1 year low of $12.77 and a 1 year high of $18.90.

Healthcare Realty Trust Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 27th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 12th were issued a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 12th. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.32%. Healthcare Realty Trust’s payout ratio is currently -78.48%.

Healthcare Realty Trust Company Profile

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.