Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the fifteen ratings firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $33.91.

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $37.00 to $34.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 4th. Mizuho lifted their price target on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $32.00 to $36.25 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, September 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. They set a “buy” rating and a $38.00 target price for the company. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $33.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 3rd.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Essential Properties Realty Trust

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of EPRT. Asset Dedication LLC purchased a new position in Essential Properties Realty Trust during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 95.2% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 818 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 399 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP raised its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 611.3% during the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,195 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 1,027 shares during the period. Morse Asset Management Inc acquired a new position in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust during the 3rd quarter valued at about $79,000. Finally, Signaturefd LLC grew its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 54.2% in the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 3,729 shares of the company’s stock valued at $103,000 after purchasing an additional 1,310 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.98% of the company’s stock.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Stock Down 2.0 %

Shares of EPRT stock opened at $31.34 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 5.59 and a current ratio of 5.59. Essential Properties Realty Trust has a fifty-two week low of $23.58 and a fifty-two week high of $34.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.49 billion, a PE ratio of 27.25, a P/E/G ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 1.38. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $32.78 and its 200-day simple moving average is $31.43.

Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 23rd. The company reported $0.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.43 by ($0.16). The business had revenue of $117.13 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $109.73 million. Essential Properties Realty Trust had a return on equity of 6.20% and a net margin of 46.00%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 27.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.42 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Essential Properties Realty Trust will post 1.68 earnings per share for the current year.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 14th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be paid a $0.295 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 31st. This is a positive change from Essential Properties Realty Trust’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.77%. Essential Properties Realty Trust’s payout ratio is currently 102.61%.

About Essential Properties Realty Trust

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.