Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) Given Average Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT - Get Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from the thirteen analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and ten have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $35.06.

EPRT has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Truist Financial upped their target price on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, May 5th. Barclays restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $37.00 target price (up previously from $35.00) on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a research note on Wednesday, May 21st. Scotiabank upped their price target on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. Finally, UBS Group reduced their price target on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $40.00 to $37.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, May 13th.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Stock Performance

Essential Properties Realty Trust stock traded up $0.43 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $31.58. 2,139,730 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,480,338. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 7.76 and a quick ratio of 7.76. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $32.12 and its 200-day moving average price is $31.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.46, a P/E/G ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 1.08. Essential Properties Realty Trust has a 1 year low of $27.44 and a 1 year high of $34.88.

Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $0.45 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.46 by ($0.01). Essential Properties Realty Trust had a return on equity of 6.13% and a net margin of 44.62%. The company had revenue of $129.35 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $124.88 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.42 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 24.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts expect that Essential Properties Realty Trust will post 1.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 14th. Investors of record on Monday, June 30th will be paid a $0.30 dividend. This is an increase from Essential Properties Realty Trust's previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.80%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 30th. Essential Properties Realty Trust's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 104.35%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, VP A Joseph Peil sold 13,227 shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.96, for a total value of $435,961.92. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 76,590 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,524,406.40. The trade was a 14.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 0.77% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Essential Properties Realty Trust

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its position in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 1,834.4% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 1,180 shares of the company's stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 1,119 shares during the period. Franchise Capital Ltd bought a new position in Essential Properties Realty Trust during the 1st quarter valued at $42,000. Quarry LP boosted its stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 439.4% during the 4th quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,451 shares of the company's stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 1,182 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust during the 1st quarter worth $80,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.98% of the company's stock.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Company Profile

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc, a real estate company, acquires, owns, and manages single-tenant properties in the United States. The company leases its properties to middle-market companies, such as restaurants, car washes, automotive services, medical and dental services, convenience stores, equipment rental, entertainment, early childhood education, grocery, and health and fitness on a long-term basis.