Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) Short Interest Down 25.0% in December

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) was the target of a significant drop in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 11,371,024 shares, a drop of 25.0% from the December 15th total of 15,157,240 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,786,232 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 6.4 days. Currently, 5.8% of the company’s stock are short sold. Currently, 5.8% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 1,786,232 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 6.4 days.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Price Performance

Shares of NYSE EPRT traded up $0.30 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $30.84. 1,505,820 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,704,021. Essential Properties Realty Trust has a twelve month low of $27.44 and a twelve month high of $33.35. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $30.53 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $30.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 5.66 and a current ratio of 5.66. The company has a market cap of $6.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.87, a PEG ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 0.99.

Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $0.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.48. Essential Properties Realty Trust had a return on equity of 6.38% and a net margin of 45.25%.The firm had revenue of $144.93 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $140.42 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.43 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 23.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Essential Properties Realty Trust has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.980-2.040 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 1.870-1.890 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Essential Properties Realty Trust will post 1.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were paid a dividend of $0.31 per share. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.0%. This is an increase from Essential Properties Realty Trust’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 31st. Essential Properties Realty Trust’s payout ratio is currently 100.00%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently commented on EPRT shares. Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $37.00 price target on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a research note on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Mizuho increased their price target on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $36.00 price target on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Scotiabank upped their price objective on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $35.41.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Essential Properties Realty Trust

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of EPRT. M&G PLC grew its stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 8.2% during the third quarter. M&G PLC now owns 6,776 shares of the company’s stock worth $203,000 after purchasing an additional 514 shares during the period. Virtus Investment Advisers LLC raised its position in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 11.5% in the 2nd quarter. Virtus Investment Advisers LLC now owns 5,303 shares of the company’s stock valued at $169,000 after acquiring an additional 549 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 24.8% in the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 2,861 shares of the company’s stock valued at $85,000 after buying an additional 569 shares during the period. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC now owns 18,558 shares of the company’s stock worth $592,000 after purchasing an additional 572 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Belpointe Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 3.2% in the second quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 18,558 shares of the company’s stock valued at $592,000 after buying an additional 572 shares during the period. 96.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Company Profile

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc (NYSE: EPRT) is a self-administered real estate investment trust that acquires, owns and manages single-tenant commercial properties subject to long-term, triple-net leases. The company’s portfolio primarily consists of small-box retail and industrial assets, including convenience stores, automotive service centers, quick-service restaurants, fitness centers and other necessity-based businesses. Under a triple-net lease structure, tenants assume responsibility for property taxes, insurance and most maintenance expenses, providing Essential Properties with predictable, stable cash flows.

Since its founding in April 2016 and its initial public offering later that year, Essential Properties has pursued a growth strategy focused on partnering with creditworthy tenants operating in densely populated trade areas.