W.P. Carey Inc. (NYSE:WPC) Stock Rated "Moderate Buy" by Wall Street Analysts

Key Points

• Analyst consensus is “Moderate Buy”: Nine of 16 analysts rate W.P. Carey a buy, while seven recommend holding it. The average 12-month price target is $78.14, above the reported share price of $65.73.
• W.P. Carey raised its quarterly dividend to $0.95 per share from $0.94, equivalent to an annualized dividend of $3.80 and a 5.8% yield.
• Institutional investors own 73.73% of the company, while the stock remains near the lower end of its 12-month range of $63.08 to $77.22.

W.P. Carey Inc. (NYSE:WPC - Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of "Moderate Buy" by the sixteen research firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $78.14.

Several brokerages recently commented on WPC. UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of W.P. Carey in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Bank of America raised W.P. Carey from an "underperform" rating to a "neutral" rating and increased their target price for the stock from $73.00 to $83.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 16th. Scotiabank lowered their price target on W.P. Carey from $76.00 to $68.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, September 24th. Citigroup restated a "market perform" rating on shares of W.P. Carey in a research note on Friday. Finally, Wolfe Research upgraded W.P. Carey from a "peer perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $85.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Monday, June 8th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of WPC. Commonwealth Retirement Investments LLC purchased a new stake in W.P. Carey during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Osbon Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of W.P. Carey in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Avalon Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of W.P. Carey during the 2nd quarter valued at $36,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of W.P. Carey during the 1st quarter valued at $40,000. Finally, Ancora Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of W.P. Carey during the 2nd quarter valued at $41,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.73% of the company's stock.

W.P. Carey Trading Down 0.5%

NYSE WPC opened at $65.73 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $14.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.43, a P/E/G ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 0.75. W.P. Carey has a 12 month low of $63.08 and a 12 month high of $77.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 0.22 and a quick ratio of 0.22. The company has a 50-day moving average of $70.81 and a 200-day moving average of $71.86.

W.P. Carey Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.95 per share. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.8%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 30th. This is an increase from W.P. Carey's previous quarterly dividend of $0.94. W.P. Carey's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 128.33%.

About W.P. Carey

W.P. Carey Inc NYSE: WPC is a diversified real estate investment trust that owns and manages a portfolio of commercial properties leased to companies under long-term, primarily net lease agreements. Under these arrangements, tenants generally assume responsibility for property taxes, insurance and maintenance, allowing W.P. Carey to generate contractual rental income.

The company invests in and provides sale-leaseback and build-to-suit financing solutions for businesses. Its portfolio has historically included industrial and warehouse facilities, retail properties, office buildings, self-storage facilities and other commercial real estate.

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