Easterly Government Properties (NYSE:DEA) Shares Cross Above 50 Day Moving Average - Time to Sell?

Easterly Government Properties, Inc. (NYSE:DEA - Get Free Report) passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $21.46 and traded as high as $22.29. Easterly Government Properties shares last traded at $22.01, with a volume of 398,408 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently issued reports on DEA shares. 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. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Easterly Government Properties in a research report on Monday, March 17th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $32.50 price target on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on shares of Easterly Government Properties from $27.50 to $22.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 2nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Easterly Government Properties from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Friday, June 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Easterly Government Properties currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $27.69.

Easterly Government Properties Trading Down 0.4%

The firm's 50 day moving average is $21.54 and its 200 day moving average is $24.98. The company has a market cap of $999.03 million, a PE ratio of 52.98 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 4.90 and a quick ratio of 4.90.

Easterly Government Properties (NYSE:DEA - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.73 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.73. The company had revenue of $78.68 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $80.67 million. Easterly Government Properties had a net margin of 5.86% and a return on equity of 1.30%. Easterly Government Properties's revenue for the quarter was up 8.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.29 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Easterly Government Properties, Inc. will post 1.17 earnings per share for the current year.

Easterly Government Properties Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Saturday, May 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 6th were paid a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 5th. This represents a yield of 8.92%. Easterly Government Properties's dividend payout ratio is currently 171.43%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Easterly Government Properties

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sterling Capital Management LLC grew its stake in 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 grew its stake in Easterly Government Properties by 604.0% in the 4th quarter. Quarry LP now owns 5,878 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $67,000 after buying an additional 5,043 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new position in Easterly Government Properties in the 4th quarter worth approximately $70,000. Parvin Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Easterly Government Properties in the 4th quarter worth approximately $87,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in Easterly Government Properties in the 4th quarter worth approximately $97,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.51% of the company's stock.

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.