CHICAGO—The new year having gotten already underway with the closing on a jumbo-sized accretive investment, Ventas Inc.'s chairman and CEO, Debra A. Cafaro, is able to look back on a stellar 12 months. The healthcare REIT on Friday reported fourth-quarter normalized funds from operations of $1.15 per share, beating the Zacks Equity Research consensus of $1.13 per share, and set a new company record for full-year normalized FFO of $4.48 per share, up 8% year over year.

“Our 2014 record results reflect the strength of our diversified business, with excellent results in our medical office, triple-net lease and seniors housing operating segments and the positive impact of our value-creating investments,” Cafaro says. The company, which closed on $2.4 billion worth of acquisitions last year, continues to focus on “making accretive investments, raising capital efficiently and managing our assets productively, to enhance our leading position in healthcare and senior living real estate.”

Last month, VTR closed on its $2.6-billion purchase of American Realty Healthcare Trust Inc. An article from Zacks describes the deal as “a strategic fit” for VTR. Not only did it add four million square feet to the REIT's portfolio, but it also expanded its client base with over 20 new health systems. “Moreover, it brought 10 new senior living operators to Ventas' business, producing consistent growing cash flows.”

Cafaro says VTR is entering 2015 “with confidence in our team, business model and momentum. We continue to see and capture opportunities to create additional wealth and value for our shareholders. Our long track record of stewardship of capital, expertise in capital markets and experience in asset management positions us well to continue our long track record of earnings and dividend growth.”

Putting numbers behind those expectations, VTR on Friday provided full-year guidance of $4.63 to $4.71 per diluted share of normalized FFO, a range that reflects last month's closing on HCT. Same-store cash is expected to grow between 2.5% and 3.5% this year.