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

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) has been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the thirteen ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and ten have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $35.06.

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on EPRT shares. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $37.00 price target (up previously from $35.00) on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. Scotiabank boosted their target price on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, May 5th. Finally, UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $40.00 to $37.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Trading Up 1.4%

EPRT opened at $31.58 on Friday. Essential Properties Realty Trust has a fifty-two week low of $27.44 and a fifty-two week high of $34.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 7.76 and a quick ratio of 7.76. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.46, a PEG ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 1.08. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $32.12 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $31.78.

Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.46 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $129.35 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $124.88 million. Essential Properties Realty Trust had a return on equity of 6.13% and a net margin of 44.62%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 24.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.42 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Essential Properties Realty Trust will post 1.83 earnings per share for the current year.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.30 per share. This is an increase from Essential Properties Realty Trust’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 30th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.80%. Essential Properties Realty Trust’s dividend payout ratio is presently 104.35%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, VP A Joseph Peil sold 13,227 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.96, for a total value of $435,961.92. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 76,590 shares in the company, valued at $2,524,406.40. This represents a 14.73% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.77% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Essential Properties Realty Trust

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 1,834.4% in the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 1,180 shares of the company’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 1,119 shares during the last quarter. Franchise Capital Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in the first quarter valued at about $42,000. Quarry LP raised its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 439.4% in the fourth quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,451 shares of the company’s stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 1,182 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in the first quarter valued at about $80,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.98% of the company’s stock.

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.