Stifel Nicolaus Has Lowered Expectations for Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT) Stock Price

Key Points

• Analysts at Stifel Nicolaus have reduced the price target for Essential Properties Realty Trust from $36.00 to $35.50, while maintaining a "buy" rating for the stock.
• The company reported a decline in earnings per share of $0.46 for the latest quarter, missing analysts' expectations by $0.01.
• Despite the current price target adjustments, the average price target for the stock remains around $35.18, with nine analysts rating it as a "buy."

Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT - Get Free Report) had its price objective lowered by Stifel Nicolaus from $36.00 to $35.50 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a "buy" rating on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus' target price would indicate a potential upside of 17.98% from the company's current price.

A number of other research firms have also recently commented on EPRT. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $36.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from an "in-line" rating to an "outperform" rating and increased their price target for the company from $34.00 to $36.00 in a report on Monday, September 15th. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $37.00 to $36.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Finally, Mizuho reduced their price objective on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $35.00 to $32.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, September 11th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $35.18.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Price Performance

EPRT traded down $0.10 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $30.09. The stock had a trading volume of 4,153,239 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,514,117. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 5.67 and a current ratio of 5.67. The business has a 50-day moving average of $30.60 and a 200-day moving average of $31.42. The stock has a market cap of $5.96 billion, a PE ratio of 25.50, a PEG ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.08. Essential Properties Realty Trust has a one year low of $27.44 and a one year high of $34.88.

Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 23rd. The company reported $0.46 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.47 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $129.11 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $131.72 million. Essential Properties Realty Trust had a net margin of 44.48% and a return on equity of 6.20%. Essential Properties Realty Trust's revenue was up 25.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.47 EPS. Essential Properties Realty Trust has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.860-1.890 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Essential Properties Realty Trust will post 1.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Essential Properties Realty Trust

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. KBC Group NV raised its position in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 4.3% in the first quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 8,085 shares of the company's stock worth $264,000 after purchasing an additional 335 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 4.0% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 10,778 shares of the company's stock valued at $352,000 after acquiring an additional 419 shares during the period. Cresset Asset Management LLC grew its position in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 4.2% during the first quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC now owns 10,609 shares of the company's stock valued at $349,000 after buying an additional 426 shares during the period. Virtus Investment Advisers LLC boosted its position in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 11.5% in the second quarter. Virtus Investment Advisers LLC now owns 5,303 shares of the company's stock valued at $169,000 after acquiring an additional 549 shares during the period. Finally, Fortis Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 3.2% in the second quarter. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC now owns 18,558 shares of the company's stock worth $592,000 after purchasing an additional 572 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.98% of the company's stock.

About Essential Properties Realty Trust

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.