Easterly Government Properties (NYSE:DEA) Hits New 52-Week Low - What's Next?

Shares of Easterly Government Properties, Inc. (NYSE:DEA - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low on Monday . The stock traded as low as $8.03 and last traded at $20.93, with a volume of 1349782 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.19.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

DEA has been the subject of several recent research reports. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on shares of Easterly Government Properties in a research report on Monday, March 17th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $32.50 target price for the company. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on Easterly Government Properties from $30.00 to $27.50 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 10th. Compass Point reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $23.75 price target (down previously from $37.50) on shares of Easterly Government Properties in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Easterly Government Properties from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $29.06.

Easterly Government Properties Stock Up 2.8 %

The firm has a 50 day moving average of $24.31 and a 200-day moving average of $27.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 4.01 and a quick ratio of 4.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 117.83 and a beta of 0.87.

Easterly Government Properties (NYSE:DEA - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.73 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts' consensus estimates of $0.73. Easterly Government Properties had a return on equity of 1.34% and a net margin of 6.25%. The business had revenue of $78.68 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $80.67 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.29 earnings per share. Easterly Government Properties's revenue was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Easterly Government Properties, Inc. will post 1.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Easterly Government Properties Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, May 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 6th will be paid a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 5th. This represents a yield of 8.92%. Easterly Government Properties's payout ratio is currently 378.95%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Easterly Government Properties

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Sterling Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Easterly Government Properties by 814.7% in the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 3,110 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 2,770 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP raised its stake in Easterly Government Properties by 604.0% during the fourth quarter. Quarry LP now owns 5,878 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $67,000 after acquiring an additional 5,043 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Easterly Government Properties during the fourth quarter valued at $70,000. Parvin Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Easterly Government Properties during the 4th quarter worth about $87,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in Easterly Government Properties during the fourth quarter worth about $97,000. 86.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Easterly Government Properties Company Profile

Easterly Government Properties, Inc NYSE: DEA is based in Washington, DC, and focuses primarily on the acquisition, development and management of Class A commercial properties that are leased to the U.S. Government. Easterly's experienced management team brings specialized insight into the strategy and needs of mission-critical U.S.