Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (NYSE:CHCT) Stock Has Average Target Price of $18.50

Key Points

• Analysts maintain a cautious outlook: Five brokerages rate Community Healthcare Trust “Hold” on average, with three holds and two buys. The average 12-month price target is $18.50, above the stock’s reported $14.39 price.
• Recent financial results fell short of expectations: The healthcare REIT reported quarterly EPS of $0.06 versus the $0.11 consensus estimate, while revenue of $30.97 million was below the $31.77 million forecast.
• The quarterly dividend was cut significantly: The dividend declined from $0.48 to $0.33 per share, producing an annualized yield of about 9.2%; the payout ratio stands at 197.01%. Meanwhile, the CEO and a director purchased shares, signaling insider buying.

Shares of Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (NYSE:CHCT - Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of "Hold" by the five brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $18.50.

Several research firms recently weighed in on CHCT. Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on shares of Community Healthcare Trust from $20.00 to $17.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Huntington started coverage on shares of Community Healthcare Trust in a research note on Friday, July 17th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $20.00 price objective for the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Community Healthcare Trust in a research report on Wednesday, September 9th. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Community Healthcare Trust from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, June 11th.

Community Healthcare Trust Trading Up 0.6%

NYSE:CHCT opened at $14.39 on Wednesday. Community Healthcare Trust has a 52 week low of $13.23 and a 52 week high of $19.17. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $15.54 and a 200-day moving average of $16.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $412.42 million, a PE ratio of 21.49 and a beta of 0.69.

Community Healthcare Trust (NYSE:CHCT - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.11 by ($0.05). The company had revenue of $30.97 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.77 million. Community Healthcare Trust had a net margin of 16.81% and a return on equity of 4.96%. As a group, analysts predict that Community Healthcare Trust will post 1.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Community Healthcare Trust Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 31st. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 19th were issued a $0.33 dividend. This is a decrease from Community Healthcare Trust's previous quarterly dividend of $0.48. This represents a $1.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 9.2%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 19th. Community Healthcare Trust's dividend payout ratio is currently 197.01%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Community Healthcare Trust

In related news, Director Robert Z. Hensley acquired 8,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 11th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $15.21 per share, with a total value of $121,680.00. Following the purchase, the director owned 103,702 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,577,307.42. The trade was a 8.36% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO David H. Dupuy acquired 10,000 shares of Community Healthcare Trust stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 14th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $15.13 per share, with a total value of $151,300.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 557,262 shares of the company's stock, valued at $8,431,374.06. The trade was a 1.83% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 5.30% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Community Healthcare Trust

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC acquired a new position in Community Healthcare Trust during the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new stake in Community Healthcare Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at $51,000. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in shares of Community Healthcare Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at $58,000. PVG Asset Management Corp acquired a new position in Community Healthcare Trust in the second quarter valued at about $189,000. Finally, State of Wyoming bought a new stake in Community Healthcare Trust during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $226,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.84% of the company's stock.

Community Healthcare Trust Company Profile

Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated NYSE: CHCT is a real estate investment trust focused on owning healthcare-related properties across the United States. The company primarily targets facilities located in non-urban and underserved communities, where healthcare providers often require specialized outpatient and community-based real estate.

Its portfolio has included outpatient clinics, physician office buildings, specialty healthcare facilities, behavioral health properties, hospitals, and other properties used by healthcare providers.

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