Short Interest in Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) Decreases By 25.0%

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) saw a significant drop in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 11,371,024 shares, a drop of 25.0% from the December 15th total of 15,157,240 shares. Approximately 5.8% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,786,232 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 6.4 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,786,232 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 6.4 days. Approximately 5.8% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have weighed in on EPRT shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Stifel Nicolaus set a $36.00 price target on Essential Properties Realty Trust in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Scotiabank increased their price target on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. Berenberg Bank assumed coverage on Essential Properties Realty Trust in a report on Monday, October 13th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $36.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Evercore ISI cut their price objective on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $36.00 to $35.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $35.41.

Institutional Trading of Essential Properties Realty Trust

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of EPRT. TD Private Client Wealth LLC purchased a new position in Essential Properties Realty Trust in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Essential Properties Realty Trust during the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in Essential Properties Realty Trust during the second quarter worth $44,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC purchased a new stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at $46,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc increased its stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 54.2% in the 3rd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,867 shares of the company’s stock worth $56,000 after acquiring an additional 656 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.98% of the company’s stock.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Price Performance

EPRT stock traded up $0.30 during trading on Monday, hitting $30.84. The stock had a trading volume of 1,505,820 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,609,739. Essential Properties Realty Trust has a twelve month low of $27.44 and a twelve month high of $33.35. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $30.54 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $30.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 5.66 and a quick ratio of 5.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.87, a PEG ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.99.

Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $0.48 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.48. Essential Properties Realty Trust had a return on equity of 6.38% and a net margin of 45.25%.The business had revenue of $144.93 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $140.42 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.43 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 23.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Essential Properties Realty Trust has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.980-2.040 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 1.870-1.890 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Essential Properties Realty Trust will post 1.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were issued a dividend of $0.31 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 31st. This is a positive change from Essential Properties Realty Trust’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.0%. Essential Properties Realty Trust’s payout ratio is currently 100.00%.

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.