Medical Properties Trust Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NYSE:MPT)

Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPT) was the target of some unusual options trading activity on Thursday. Investors acquired 81,111 call options on the company. This represents an increase of 206% compared to the average daily volume of 26,471 call options.

More Medical Properties Trust News

Here are the key news stories impacting Medical Properties Trust this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results beat expectations — MPT reported Q4 EPS/FFO of $0.18, topping consensus (~$0.15) and showing revenue +16.6% y/y. Beats improve near‑term cash flow visibility and were the primary catalyst for the rally. MPT Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results
• Positive Sentiment: Prospect/tenant issues largely addressed — Company commentary and coverage highlight that prospect-related concerns that pressured sentiment have been resolved, reducing an overhang on leasing and cash collections. Medical Properties Trust Q4 earnings, revenue beat as Prospect issues resolved
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend hike and buyback announced — Management unveiled a 12.5% dividend increase and a $150M repurchase program, signaling confidence in cash flow and returning capital to shareholders (supportive for valuation and yield investors). Seeking Alpha: Dividend Hike & Buybacks
• Positive Sentiment: Strong FFO/revenue detail coverage — Multiple outlets (Zacks, MarketBeat, local press) confirm FFO and revenue beats, reinforcing that reported fundamentals exceeded expectations. Zacks: FFO & Revenues Surpass Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Unusual call buying and heavy volume — Large institutional/option activity (81,111 calls) and a multi‑fold spike in share volume suggest speculative or directional buying ahead of/after the print, amplifying intraday moves. (No link available)
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call materials & transcript available — Management’s presentation and call transcript provide detail on strategy, asset dispositions, and portfolio health; useful for investors doing deeper diligence but not immediate price drivers on their own. Earnings Call Transcript Earnings Presentation
• Neutral Sentiment: Press write‑ups/snapshots — Regional and national outlets summarized the quarter (BayStreet, NH Register, Yahoo); useful aggregation of facts but largely reiterate the beats and management commentary. BayStreet Q4 Summary NH Register Snapshot
• Negative Sentiment: Balance‑sheet / tenant credit risks remain — Analysts and commentators still flag high leverage (debt/equity), negative net margin/ROE, and lingering tenant credit questions that could pressure cash flow if conditions worsen. Fool: Critical Take
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst skepticism — Despite operational improvements, at least one analyst note warns turnaround is uncertain and may take 12–24 months; that limits conviction for longer‑term investors and keeps volatility elevated. Seeking Alpha: Cautious View

Medical Properties Trust Trading Up 11.9%

MPT stock opened at $6.01 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $3.62 billion, a PE ratio of 9.10 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a current ratio of 2.68 and a quick ratio of 2.68. Medical Properties Trust has a 12-month low of $3.95 and a 12-month high of $6.47.

Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPT) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 19th. The company reported $0.18 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.15 by $0.03. Medical Properties Trust had a negative net margin of 75.76% and a negative return on equity of 14.82%. The firm had revenue of $270.34 million for the quarter. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.18 earnings per share. Medical Properties Trust’s revenue was up 16.6% on a year-over-year basis.

Medical Properties Trust Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 12th will be paid a $0.09 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 12th. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.0%. Medical Properties Trust’s payout ratio is presently -30.51%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. Maxim Group assumed coverage on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. They set a “buy” rating and a $8.00 price target on the stock. Weiss Ratings assumed coverage on Medical Properties Trust in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. They set a “sell (d-)” rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $8.00.

About Medical Properties Trust

Medical Properties Trust, Inc (NYSE: MPT) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, owns and finances hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Founded in 2003 by Edward K. Aldag Jr., the company’s business model centers on providing real estate capital to healthcare operators through long-term leases, sale-leaseback transactions, build-to-suit developments and mortgage financing. By specializing in healthcare real estate, MPT aims to deliver steady rental income and asset-based returns while enabling operators to access capital for clinical operations and growth.

The company’s portfolio primarily comprises acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, long-term acute care facilities, behavioral health centers and other specialty hospitals.