Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.31

Key Points

• Essential Properties Realty Trust declared a quarterly dividend of $0.31 per share (ex-dividend and record date March 31; payable April 14), implying a 3.6% yield and $1.24 annualized.
• The payout ratio is currently high at 92.5%, which could be risky if earnings fall, but analysts forecast $1.98 EPS next year — implying a projected payout ratio of about 62.6% and stronger coverage.
• The company is a self‑administered triple‑net REIT focused on single‑tenant small‑box retail and industrial properties, with a market cap around $7.17 billion and a debt‑to‑equity ratio of 0.60.

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT - Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Monday, March 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be paid a dividend of 0.31 per share on Tuesday, April 14th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 31st.

Essential Properties Realty Trust has raised its dividend payment by an average of 0.1%per year over the last three years and has increased its dividend every year for the last 6 years. Essential Properties Realty Trust has a payout ratio of 92.5% meaning its dividend is currently covered by earnings, but may not be in the future if the company's earnings tumble. Equities research analysts expect Essential Properties Realty Trust to earn $1.98 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.24 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 62.6%.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Price Performance

NYSE:EPRT opened at $34.16 on Tuesday. Essential Properties Realty Trust has a one year low of $27.44 and a one year high of $34.73. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $31.47 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $30.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 6.37 and a quick ratio of 6.37. The company has a market cap of $7.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.69, a P/E/G ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.95.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Essential Properties Realty Trust

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Lido Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. Lido Advisors LLC now owns 9,714 shares of the company's stock worth $292,000 after purchasing an additional 346 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 82.0% during the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 899 shares of the company's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 405 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC boosted its holdings in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 11.9% in the fourth quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 4,110 shares of the company's stock valued at $122,000 after acquiring an additional 436 shares in the last quarter. Danske Bank A S grew its stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 26.3% in the fourth quarter. Danske Bank A S now owns 2,400 shares of the company's stock worth $71,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the period. Finally, GSI Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 0.3% in the fourth quarter. GSI Capital Advisors LLC now owns 147,682 shares of the company's stock worth $4,380,000 after purchasing an additional 510 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.98% of the company's stock.

About Essential Properties Realty Trust

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc NYSE: EPRT is a self-administered real estate investment trust that acquires, owns and manages single-tenant commercial properties subject to long-term, triple-net leases. The company’s portfolio primarily consists of small-box retail and industrial assets, including convenience stores, automotive service centers, quick-service restaurants, fitness centers and other necessity-based businesses. Under a triple-net lease structure, tenants assume responsibility for property taxes, insurance and most maintenance expenses, providing Essential Properties with predictable, stable cash flows.

Since its founding in April 2016 and its initial public offering later that year, Essential Properties has pursued a growth strategy focused on partnering with creditworthy tenants operating in densely populated trade areas.

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