Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) Short Interest Up 68.6% in February

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 17,777,458 shares, a growth of 68.6% from the February 12th total of 10,544,205 shares. Currently, 8.5% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 2,820,709 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 6.3 days. Based on an average daily volume of 2,820,709 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 6.3 days. Currently, 8.5% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $33.00 to $37.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Truist Financial lifted their price target on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $34.00 to $37.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, March 9th. Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $37.00 price target on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Scotiabank increased their price objective on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $34.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Monday, March 2nd. Finally, Evercore restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $36.56.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Stock Down 0.2%

EPRT stock opened at $32.95 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 6.37, a quick ratio of 6.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The firm has a market cap of $6.91 billion, a PE ratio of 25.74, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.95. Essential Properties Realty Trust has a 1 year low of $27.44 and a 1 year high of $34.73. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $31.74 and a 200 day simple moving average of $30.87.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 14th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.31 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 31st. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.8%. Essential Properties Realty Trust’s dividend payout ratio is currently 96.88%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Lido Advisors LLC boosted its position in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 3.7% during the fourth quarter. Lido Advisors LLC now owns 9,714 shares of the company’s stock worth $292,000 after purchasing an additional 346 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 82.0% in the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 899 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 405 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC lifted its stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 11.9% in the fourth quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 4,110 shares of the company’s stock worth $122,000 after buying an additional 436 shares during the last quarter. Danske Bank A S lifted its stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 26.3% in the fourth quarter. Danske Bank A S now owns 2,400 shares of the company’s stock worth $71,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GSI Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. GSI Capital Advisors LLC now owns 147,682 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,380,000 after buying an additional 510 shares during the period. 96.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Essential Properties Realty Trust

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.