EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) saw a significant increase in short interest during the month of March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 5,810,668 shares, an increase of 41.2% from the February 26th total of 4,115,799 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 943,008 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 6.2 days. Approximately 7.8% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

EPR Properties Trading Up 1.1%

EPR stock traded up $0.54 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $49.25. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 911,039 shares, compared to its average volume of 900,769. EPR Properties has a 1 year low of $41.75 and a 1 year high of $62.08. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.06, a PEG ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.95. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $55.75 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $53.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 8.81 and a current ratio of 8.81.

EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.01. EPR Properties had a net margin of 38.27% and a return on equity of 11.81%. The firm had revenue of $182.95 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $181.76 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.22 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. EPR Properties has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.280-5.480 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that EPR Properties will post 4.65 EPS for the current year.

EPR Properties Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be paid a $0.31 dividend. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 7.6%. This is an increase from EPR Properties’s previous monthly dividend of $0.30. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 31st. EPR Properties’s payout ratio is currently 108.26%.

Insider Buying and Selling at EPR Properties

In other news, SVP Brian Andrew Moriarty sold 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.44, for a total transaction of $282,200.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 13,704 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $773,453.76. This represents a 26.73% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Lisa G. Trimberger sold 6,633 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.83, for a total value of $383,586.39. Following the transaction, the director owned 6,586 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $380,868.38. This represents a 50.18% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 22,133 shares of company stock worth $1,242,101 in the last quarter. 2.31% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On EPR Properties

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of EPR Properties by 66.7% during the 4th quarter. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC now owns 500 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in EPR Properties in the third quarter worth about $26,000. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its stake in EPR Properties by 99.6% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 461 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 230 shares during the period. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new position in EPR Properties during the 3rd quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Strategic Advocates LLC purchased a new position in EPR Properties during the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. 74.66% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

EPR has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Raymond James Financial cut shares of EPR Properties from a “strong-buy” rating to an “outperform” rating and cut their price objective for the company from $62.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Tuesday, March 17th. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of EPR Properties in a report on Monday, December 29th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of EPR Properties from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, March 6th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $65.50 price target on shares of EPR Properties in a report on Thursday, March 5th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of EPR Properties from $54.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, March 9th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $59.50.

About EPR Properties

EPR Properties is a real estate investment trust that specializes in experiential properties across the United States, Canada and select international markets. Established in 1997 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, the company targets properties in the entertainment, recreation and education sectors. Its portfolio includes movie theaters, ski resorts, family entertainment centers, charter schools and other venues that benefit from consumer-driven experiences.

The trust employs long-term, triple-net lease agreements, where tenants are responsible for real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance.