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

Key Points

• American Healthcare REIT experienced a significant increase in short interest, rising by 54.6% in September to 5.75 million shares.
• The company reported a quarterly earnings increase to $0.42 per share, exceeding market expectations of $0.40, alongside a revenue rise of 7.5% year-over-year.
• A quarterly dividend of $0.25 is set to be paid on October 17th, representing an annual yield of 2.4%, despite a high dividend payout ratio of -454.55%.

American Healthcare REIT, Inc. (NYSE:AHR - Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of September. As of September 15th, there was short interest totaling 5,750,000 shares, a growth of 54.6% from the August 31st total of 3,720,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,470,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.9 days. Approximately 3.4% of the shares of the company are sold short. Approximately 3.4% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,470,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.9 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Scotiabank reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of American Healthcare REIT in a research note on Thursday, August 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on shares of American Healthcare REIT from $39.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of American Healthcare REIT from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 26th. UBS Group assumed coverage on American Healthcare REIT in a report on Friday, September 19th. They set a "buy" rating and a $51.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an "overweight" rating on shares of American Healthcare REIT in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $44.11.

American Healthcare REIT Price Performance

Shares of American Healthcare REIT stock traded up $0.05 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $41.05. The company's stock had a trading volume of 568,314 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,610,967. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $41.51 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $36.48. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.92 billion, a P/E ratio of -186.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a current ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. American Healthcare REIT has a one year low of $23.66 and a one year high of $43.52.

American Healthcare REIT (NYSE:AHR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 7th. The company reported $0.42 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.40 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $542.50 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $539.49 million. American Healthcare REIT had a negative net margin of 1.56% and a negative return on equity of 1.43%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.33 EPS. American Healthcare REIT has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.640-1.680 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that American Healthcare REIT will post 1.41 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Healthcare REIT Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 30th will be given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 30th. American Healthcare REIT's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -454.55%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Mark E. Foster sold 3,850 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.89, for a total value of $161,276.50. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 59,100 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,475,699. This trade represents a 6.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.92% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in American Healthcare REIT by 4,208.9% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 42,572 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,405,000 after buying an additional 41,584 shares during the period. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of American Healthcare REIT by 206.2% during the 1st quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 1,442 shares of the company's stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 971 shares during the last quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of American Healthcare REIT by 41.0% in the 1st quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC now owns 13,718 shares of the company's stock valued at $416,000 after purchasing an additional 3,987 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB boosted its position in shares of American Healthcare REIT by 32.5% in the 1st quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 51,400 shares of the company's stock worth $1,557,000 after purchasing an additional 12,600 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CX Institutional bought a new stake in American Healthcare REIT in the first quarter valued at about $155,000. 16.68% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Healthcare REIT Company Profile

Formed by the successful merger of Griffin-American Healthcare REIT III and Griffin-American Healthcare REIT IV, as well as the acquisition of the business and operations of American Healthcare Investors, American Healthcare REIT is one of the larger healthcare-focused real estate investment trusts globally with assets totaling approximately $4.2 billion in gross investment value.

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