Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT) Hits New 52-Week High at $31.21

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $31.21 and last traded at $30.95, with a volume of 119877 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $30.77.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently commented on EPRT shares. Mizuho boosted 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 report on Friday, May 10th. Scotiabank boosted 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 report on Wednesday, May 29th. Evercore ISI lowered shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from an “outperform” rating to an “in-line” rating and boosted their price target for the company from $30.00 to $32.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 18th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a report on Friday, June 28th. They set a “buy” rating and a $33.00 price target on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Essential Properties Realty Trust currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $29.67.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 7.61, a current ratio of 7.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The company has a market capitalization of $5.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.30, a P/E/G ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.35. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $27.82 and its 200 day simple moving average is $26.25.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 12th. Investors of record on Friday, June 28th were issued a dividend of $0.29 per share. This is an increase from Essential Properties Realty Trust’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.74%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 28th. Essential Properties Realty Trust’s dividend payout ratio is currently 94.31%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Stephen D. Sautel sold 25,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, May 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.09, for a total transaction of $677,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 247,492 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,704,558.28. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, Director Stephen D. Sautel sold 25,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, May 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.09, for a total transaction of $677,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 247,492 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,704,558.28. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Peter M. Mavoides sold 1,200 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.00, for a total transaction of $33,600.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 513,264 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $14,371,392. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 59,775 shares of company stock valued at $1,641,734. Company insiders own 0.81% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Essential Properties Realty Trust

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. raised its stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 409.2% during the 1st quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 241,386 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,435,000 after purchasing an additional 193,979 shares during the last quarter. Hazelview Securities Inc. raised its stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 112.9% during the 1st quarter. Hazelview Securities Inc. now owns 867,585 shares of the company’s stock valued at $22,731,000 after purchasing an additional 460,065 shares during the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB raised its stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 51.0% during the 1st quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 281,275 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,530,000 after purchasing an additional 94,970 shares during the last quarter. Heitman Real Estate Securities LLC raised its stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 5.7% during the 4th quarter. Heitman Real Estate Securities LLC now owns 1,048,293 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,794,000 after purchasing an additional 56,990 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC raised its stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 298.0% during the 1st quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 64,417 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,717,000 after purchasing an additional 48,231 shares during the last quarter. 96.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Company 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.