Naviter Wealth LLC Invests $279,000 in Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT)

Naviter Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 10,350 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $279,000.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 0.5% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 24,730,518 shares of the company’s stock valued at $534,921,000 after purchasing an additional 134,840 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 18.4% in the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 9,931,196 shares of the company’s stock valued at $253,841,000 after purchasing an additional 1,543,346 shares during the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its holdings in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 31.4% in the third quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 5,305,696 shares of the company’s stock valued at $114,762,000 after purchasing an additional 1,267,534 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its holdings in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 17.7% in the fourth quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 2,614,218 shares of the company’s stock valued at $66,947,000 after purchasing an additional 393,041 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,230,214 shares of the company’s stock valued at $57,004,000 after purchasing an additional 21,058 shares during the last quarter. 96.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Price Performance

Shares of EPRT traded up $0.25 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $27.71. 1,154,657 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,400,889. Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. has a 1-year low of $20.49 and a 1-year high of $28.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 7.61 and a current ratio of 7.61. The company has a 50 day moving average of $27.09 and a 200-day moving average of $25.91. The stock has a market cap of $4.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 1.35.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 12th. Investors of record on Friday, June 28th will be given a dividend of $0.29 per share. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 28th. This is an increase from Essential Properties Realty Trust’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. Essential Properties Realty Trust’s dividend payout ratio is 94.31%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

EPRT has been the topic of several recent research reports. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a report on Friday, May 31st. They issued a “buy” rating and a $30.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup raised shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and increased their target price for the stock from $25.00 to $28.50 in a research note on Friday, March 22nd. Scotiabank increased their target price on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $26.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 29th. Mizuho increased their target price on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $26.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, May 10th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $27.00 to $27.50 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Essential Properties Realty Trust currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $29.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at Essential Properties Realty Trust

In related news, Director Stephen D. Sautel sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.09, for a total value of $677,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 247,492 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,704,558.28. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 0.81% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Profile

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.