Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) saw a large increase in short interest in November. As of November 15th, there was short interest totalling 20,060,000 shares, an increase of 9.4% from the October 31st total of 18,330,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,220,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 16.4 days.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Essential Properties Realty Trust news, CEO Peter M. Mavoides sold 27,817 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.33, for a total value of $899,323.61. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 446,076 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $14,421,637.08. This trade represents a 5.87 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.81% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Essential Properties Realty Trust

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Asset Dedication LLC acquired a new position in Essential Properties Realty Trust during the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in 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 buying an additional 399 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP increased its position in 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 acquiring an additional 1,027 shares during the period. CWM LLC raised its stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 122.9% during the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,244 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 686 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 116.4% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,945 shares of the company’s stock worth $54,000 after acquiring an additional 1,046 shares during the period. 96.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Stock Up 0.7 %

NYSE EPRT traded up $0.23 on Wednesday, hitting $33.28. 154,053 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,317,626. Essential Properties Realty Trust has a twelve month low of $23.58 and a twelve month high of $34.88. The company has a current ratio of 5.59, a quick ratio of 5.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a market capitalization of $5.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 1.38. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $33.15 and a 200 day moving average of $30.81.

Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 23rd. The company reported $0.27 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.43 by ($0.16). Essential Properties Realty Trust had a net margin of 46.00% and a return on equity of 6.20%. The business had revenue of $117.13 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $109.73 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.42 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 27.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Essential Properties Realty Trust will post 1.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 11th. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th were issued a $0.29 dividend. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 30th. Essential Properties Realty Trust’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 100.87%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Mizuho boosted their price target on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, November 14th. Raymond James raised their price target on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $28.00 to $33.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 21st. Wedbush began coverage on Essential Properties Realty Trust in a report on Monday, August 19th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $34.00 price objective on the stock. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research note on Monday, September 16th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped 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 research note on Monday, November 4th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Essential Properties Realty Trust presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $33.44.

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.