American Healthcare REIT, Inc. (NYSE:AHR) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Key Points

• The short interest in American Healthcare REIT, Inc. grew by 69.2% in September, reaching 9,730,000 shares, indicating increasing bearish sentiment among investors.
• Despite positive earnings of $0.42 per share, the stock is currently down 2.8%, trading at $42.14 with a market cap of $7.10 billion.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, equating to an annualized dividend yield of 2.4%, while its dividend payout ratio stands at -454.55%.

American Healthcare REIT, Inc. (NYSE:AHR - Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totaling 9,730,000 shares, a growth of 69.2% from the September 15th total of 5,750,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,390,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 7.0 days. Approximately 5.8% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Approximately 5.8% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 1,390,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 7.0 days.

American Healthcare REIT Stock Down 2.8%

Shares of American Healthcare REIT stock traded down $1.22 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $42.14. 383,909 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,590,260. American Healthcare REIT has a 1 year low of $24.21 and a 1 year high of $43.74. The stock's fifty day moving average is $41.98 and its 200 day moving average is $37.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 0.48. The firm has a market cap of $7.10 billion, a PE ratio of -191.54, a PEG ratio of 2.23 and a beta of 0.98.

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, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.40 by $0.02. American Healthcare REIT had a negative return on equity of 1.43% and a negative net margin of 1.56%.The business had revenue of $542.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $539.49 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.33 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. American Healthcare REIT has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.640-1.680 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that American Healthcare REIT will post 1.41 earnings per share for the current year.

American Healthcare REIT Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th were given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. American Healthcare REIT's dividend payout ratio is currently -454.55%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AHR has been the topic of a number of research reports. Robert W. Baird initiated coverage on shares of American Healthcare REIT in a research note on Friday, July 18th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $41.00 target price on the stock. Scotiabank reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of American Healthcare REIT in a research note on Thursday, August 28th. Weiss Ratings reissued a "hold (c)" rating on shares of American Healthcare REIT in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of American Healthcare REIT in a research report on Friday. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of American Healthcare REIT from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 26th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $45.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other American Healthcare REIT news, EVP Mark E. Foster sold 3,850 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.89, for a total value of $161,276.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 59,100 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,475,699. This trade represents a 6.12% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Healthcare REIT

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Trust Co. of Vermont acquired a new position in shares of American Healthcare REIT during the third quarter worth $28,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Healthcare REIT during the second quarter worth $31,000. Total Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in American Healthcare REIT in the second quarter valued at $32,000. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in American Healthcare REIT in the second quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Avalon Trust Co acquired a new position in American Healthcare REIT in the first quarter valued at $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.68% of the company's stock.

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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