UPDATE: Wunderlich Initiates Coverage on Healthcare Trust of America as Demand is on the Rise

In a report published Friday, Wunderlich Securities analyst Craig Kucera initiated coverage on

with a Buy rating and $12.50 price target. In the report, Wunderlich Securities noted, “We are initiating coverage of Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. (HTA) with a Buy rating and a price target of $12.50. With assets in 27 states and no state representing more than 11% of its GLA, HTA is essentially a national play on medical office buildings. As the healthcare industry prepares to phase in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, many hospitals and healthcare systems will have to contend with higher costs and are likely to monetize their real estate assets in order to fund expenses related to new legislation. In advance of the legislation's full implementation, HTA is beginning to see substantially larger spaces to acquire as well as less resistance to 3% rent growth in new leases.” Healthcare Trust of America closed on Friday at $10.66.