Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the thirteen ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eleven have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $31.81.

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on EPRT shares. Evercore ISI upped their price target on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a report on Monday. Truist Financial upped their target price on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $29.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $31.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, August 26th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $31.25 to $32.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Raymond James raised their price objective on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $28.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 21st.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Stock Performance

Shares of EPRT stock opened at $33.89 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $5.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.55, a PEG ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 1.37. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $30.82 and a 200 day moving average price of $28.03. The company has a current ratio of 4.90, a quick ratio of 4.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. Essential Properties Realty Trust has a 12 month low of $20.49 and a 12 month high of $34.01.

Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The company reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.42 by ($0.13). Essential Properties Realty Trust had a return on equity of 6.28% and a net margin of 48.12%. The business had revenue of $109.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $102.99 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.41 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 26.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Essential Properties Realty Trust will post 1.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 11th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th will be issued a $0.29 dividend. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.42%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 30th. Essential Properties Realty Trust’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 94.31%.

Insider Activity at Essential Properties Realty Trust

In other Essential Properties Realty Trust news, CEO Peter M. Mavoides sold 27,817 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.33, for a total transaction of $899,323.61. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 446,076 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $14,421,637.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Peter M. Mavoides sold 27,817 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.33, for a total transaction of $899,323.61. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 446,076 shares in the company, valued at $14,421,637.08. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Peter M. Mavoides sold 12,712 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $28.03, for a total value of $356,317.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 500,552 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $14,030,472.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 62,592 shares of company stock valued at $1,863,808. 0.81% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Essential Properties Realty Trust

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of EPRT. Asset Dedication LLC purchased a new position in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in the 2nd quarter worth $27,000. Principal Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust during the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. Heritage Wealth Advisors raised its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 71.4% in the 4th quarter. Heritage Wealth Advisors now owns 1,200 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the period. Quarry LP lifted its stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 611.3% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,195 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 1,027 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC grew its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 122.9% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,244 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 686 shares during the period. 96.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Company Profile

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc, a real estate company, acquires, owns, and manages single-tenant properties in the United States. The company leases its properties to middle-market companies, such as restaurants, car washes, automotive services, medical and dental services, convenience stores, equipment rental, entertainment, early childhood education, grocery, and health and fitness on a long-term basis.