Clearbridge Investments LLC has increased its stake in Lamar Advertising (NASDAQ:LAMR) by 2.4% in the first quarter, according to the company’s recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor now owns 553,054 shares of Lamar Advertising’s stock, following the purchase of an additional 13,014 shares during this period. At the end of the reporting period, Clearbridge Investments LLC owned about 0.54% of Lamar Advertising, which has an estimated worth of $55,245,000.

Additionally, Lamar Advertising recently announced that it will be paying out a quarterly dividend on Friday, September 29th. Shareholders who are on record as of Monday, September 18th will receive a dividend of $1.25 per share. The ex-dividend date for this payment is set for Friday, September 15th. Based on an annualized basis, this dividend represents a payout ratio of 121.65% and yields a return of 5.47%.

Lamar Advertising is recognized as a leading real estate investment trust (REIT), specializing in outdoor advertising displays such as billboards and transit ads across North America. As one of the largest outdoor advertising companies in the United States and Canada, Lamar Advertising operates a vast network that reaches millions of consumers daily.

Investments by institutions like Clearbridge Investments LLC demonstrate confidence in Lamar Advertising’s long-term growth potential and financial stability. The increase in stake suggests that Clearbridge Investments LLC sees value in holding shares of this prominent real estate investment trust.

Moreover, Lamar Advertising’s decision to distribute quarterly dividends reflects its commitment to providing returns to its shareholders. With a dividend payout ratio slightly above 100%, Lamar Advertising aims to distribute earnings through dividends despite exceeding its net income.

Investors looking for stable returns from reputable companies within the REIT sector may find interest in Lamar Advertising’s dividend offering and steady market presence. However, it is essential for potential investors to conduct their own thorough analysis and consider factors such as Lamar Advertising’s financial performance, growth prospects, and market conditions before making investment decisions.

In conclusion, Clearbridge Investments LLC has increased its stake in Lamar Advertising, strengthening its position in the real estate investment trust. Lamar Advertising’s distribution of a quarterly dividend reflects its commitment to providing returns to shareholders. Investors seeking stability and potential growth within the REIT sector may find Lamar Advertising’s stock an attractive option. However, as always, it is crucial to conduct diligent research and assessment before making any investment decisions.

Hedge Funds Increase Holdings in Lamar Advertising as Positive Analyst Reports Emerge

Lamar Advertising, a real estate investment trust, has seen modifications in the holdings of various hedge funds. One notable investor, Invesco Ltd., has significantly increased its holdings in Lamar Advertising during the first quarter of the year. The company now owns 1,418,785 shares of Lamar Advertising’s stock, amounting to a value of $164,834,000. This increase was made possible by purchasing an additional 923,689 shares within the last quarter.

Norges Bank also acquired a new stake in Lamar Advertising during the fourth quarter of the previous year. This stake is valued at $79,703,000. Similarly, Morgan Stanley saw an increase in its holdings by 50.3% during the same period. The financial institution now possesses 1,384,858 shares with a value of $130,731,000.

Anchor Capital Advisors LLC followed suit by increasing their holdings in Lamar Advertising by a staggering 257.8% during the first quarter. Their current holding is now valued at $52,130,000. FMR LLC also joined this trend and expanded their ownership by 6.2% during the same period. They now own 6,178,960 shares worth $617,216 and have solidified their stance as significant institutional investors.

Analyst reports on Lamar Advertising have been quite positive lately as well. StockNews.com recently upgraded its rating from “hold” to “buy.” On the other hand, Morgan Stanley downgraded the company’s price target from $108 to $100 with an “equal weight” rating for the company.

As of Monday morning trading on September 5th, Lamar Advertising’s shares opened at $91.48. The firm currently boasts a market capitalization of $9.33 billion and carries a reasonable price-to-earnings ratio of 22.26 with a beta coefficient measuring volatility at approximately 1.39.

The company’s debt-to-equity ratio is 2.71, indicating a higher level of debt relative to equity. Additionally, Lamar Advertising possesses a quick ratio and current ratio of 0.58, suggesting potential liquidity concerns.

Over the past fifty days, the firm’s average stock price was $94.93 with a two-hundred-day moving average price of $97.01. Despite these figures, the company has experienced fluctuations throughout the year; its high reaching up to $111.49 while its lowest point fell to $81.10.

Lamar Advertising most recently disclosed its quarterly earnings data on August 3rd, showcasing an impressive performance for the period. The real estate investment trust reported earnings per share (EPS) of $1.90 for the quarter, surpassing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.80 by $0.10.

Revenue for the same quarter amounted to $541.10 million, slightly exceeding analyst projections of $535.00 million. It is worth noting that Lamar Advertising observed a positive trend with quarterly revenue seeing a 4.5% increase compared to the corresponding period last year when they earned $1.94 EPS.

Considering past and projected earnings, analysts posit that Lamar Advertising will record an EPS of 7.25 by the end of this year.

In conclusion, Lamar Advertising has caught the attention of several hedge funds due to its promising performance in recent quarters and positive analyst reports regarding their stock rating and future outlooks in terms of earnings per share projections.

The post Increasing Confidence: Clearbridge Investments LLC Raises Stake in Lamar Advertising as Company Announces Quarterly Dividend appeared first on Best Stocks.