Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (NYSE:CHCT) Declares Dividend Increase - $0.48 Per Share

Key Points

• Community Healthcare Trust declared a quarterly dividend of $0.48 per share, payable May 22 to holders of record on May 11, representing an annualized yield of 11.0%.
• The dividend's sustainability is questionable: CHCT reported a quarterly EPS miss ($0.51 vs. $0.56) and has a reported payout ratio of 424.4%, with analysts' forecasts implying about a ~101% payout next year—meaning earnings may not cover the $1.91 annual dividend.

Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (NYSE:CHCT - Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Thursday, April 30th. Investors of record on Monday, May 11th will be paid a dividend of 0.48 per share by the real estate investment trust on Friday, May 22nd. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 11.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, May 11th. This is a 0.5% increase from Community Healthcare Trust's previous quarterly dividend of $0.48.

Community Healthcare Trust has raised its dividend by an average of 0.0%annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend annually for the last 3 consecutive years. Community Healthcare Trust has a payout ratio of 424.4% meaning the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Research analysts expect Community Healthcare Trust to earn $1.89 per share next year, which means the company may not be able to cover its $1.91 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 101.1%.

Community Healthcare Trust Price Performance

Community Healthcare Trust stock traded up $0.28 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $17.50. The company's stock had a trading volume of 81,403 shares, compared to its average volume of 247,446. The firm's 50 day moving average is $16.68 and its 200 day moving average is $16.15. The company has a market cap of $500.07 million, a PE ratio of 250.11 and a beta of 0.74. Community Healthcare Trust has a 52-week low of $13.23 and a 52-week high of $18.22.

Community Healthcare Trust (NYSE:CHCT - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 17th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.56 by ($0.05). The business had revenue of $30.95 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $31.33 million. Community Healthcare Trust had a return on equity of 1.16% and a net margin of 4.21%. As a group, analysts forecast that Community Healthcare Trust will post 1.86 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of CHCT. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its position in Community Healthcare Trust by 111.9% in the 3rd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 2,138 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 1,129 shares during the last quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Community Healthcare Trust during the 4th quarter valued at about $49,000. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV increased its holdings in shares of Community Healthcare Trust by 104.7% during the 4th quarter. Creative Financial Designs Inc. ADV now owns 3,553 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $58,000 after acquiring an additional 1,817 shares during the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Community Healthcare Trust by 992.0% during the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 4,521 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $74,000 after acquiring an additional 4,107 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its holdings in shares of Community Healthcare Trust by 143.6% during the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 5,886 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $90,000 after acquiring an additional 3,470 shares during the last quarter. 87.84% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Community Healthcare Trust

Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated NYSE: CHCT is a real estate investment trust that specializes in owning and leasing healthcare-related properties. The company's portfolio is focused primarily on senior housing and care facilities, including skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, memory care units, independent living apartments and continuing care retirement communities. Through long‐term, triple‐net leases, Community Healthcare Trust seeks stable, predictable cash flows by partnering with experienced operators that manage day-to-day resident care and property operations.

As of the latest reporting, Community Healthcare Trust's holdings span multiple regions across the United States, with properties located in both urban and suburban markets.

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