American Healthcare REIT, Inc. (NYSE:AHR) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

American Healthcare REIT, Inc. (NYSE:AHR) saw a significant increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 18,587,361 shares, an increase of 24.6% from the December 15th total of 14,922,640 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,808,427 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 10.3 days. Approximately 10.6% of the company’s shares are short sold. Approximately 10.6% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,808,427 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 10.3 days.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on AHR shares. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of American Healthcare REIT from $51.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, November 17th. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on American Healthcare REIT from $53.00 to $52.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on American Healthcare REIT from $45.00 to $54.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 12th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on American Healthcare REIT from $47.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a “sector outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of American Healthcare REIT in a report on Monday, December 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $51.55.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Jeffrey T. Hanson sold 19,208 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.40, for a total transaction of $929,667.20. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Mark E. Foster sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.35, for a total value of $74,025.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 57,600 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,842,560. The trade was a 2.54% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 76,288 shares of company stock valued at $3,718,666 over the last 90 days. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of American Healthcare REIT by 170.1% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 25,275 shares of the company’s stock worth $766,000 after acquiring an additional 15,918 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its stake in American Healthcare REIT by 4.6% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 90,521 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,743,000 after purchasing an additional 3,954 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in American Healthcare REIT by 9.4% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 23,509 shares of the company’s stock worth $712,000 after purchasing an additional 2,011 shares in the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth raised its stake in shares of American Healthcare REIT by 6.6% in the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 25,809 shares of the company’s stock worth $782,000 after purchasing an additional 1,591 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Healthcare REIT during the first quarter valued at approximately $185,000. 16.68% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Healthcare REIT Stock Up 0.0%

NYSE:AHR traded up $0.01 on Tuesday, hitting $48.02. The stock had a trading volume of 201,724 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,570,943. The company has a quick ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. American Healthcare REIT has a 52 week low of $26.48 and a 52 week high of $51.01. The business’s fifty day moving average is $48.38 and its 200 day moving average is $43.85. The company has a market cap of $8.50 billion, a PE ratio of 343.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.02.

American Healthcare REIT Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 16th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st were given a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. American Healthcare REIT’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 714.29%.

About American Healthcare REIT

American Healthcare REIT, Inc (NYSE: AHR) was a publicly traded real estate investment trust focused on acquiring, owning and managing healthcare‐related properties across the United States. The company’s portfolio spanned senior housing communities, skilled nursing facilities, medical office buildings and outpatient care centers, all operated under long‐term net lease or triple‐net lease structures designed to provide stable, predictable rental income.

Employing a strategy of partnering with established healthcare operators, American Healthcare REIT targeted properties in both major metropolitan areas and high‐growth secondary markets to capitalize on demographic trends such as an aging population and increased demand for outpatient services.