Essex Property Trust, Inc. $ESS Shares Bought by Handelsbanken Fonder AB

Key Points

• Handelsbanken Fonder AB increased its Essex Property Trust stake by 53.8% in the second quarter, adding 22,157 shares to own 63,326 shares valued at approximately $18.5 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 96.51% of ESS.
• Essex Property Trust shares opened at $281.09, compared with a 52-week range of $238.46 to $303.35. The stock has a market capitalization of about $18.07 billion and a 200-day moving average of $268.02.
• Analyst sentiment remains favorable, with the stock carrying a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and an average price target of $303.99; several firms recently raised their targets to between $307 and $330.

Handelsbanken Fonder AB lifted its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ESS - Free Report) by 53.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 63,326 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock after acquiring an additional 22,157 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB owned 0.10% of Essex Property Trust worth $18,465,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of ESS. Nemes Rush Group LLC acquired a new position in Essex Property Trust during the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR acquired a new position in shares of Essex Property Trust in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Essex Property Trust in the 1st quarter valued at $38,000. Western Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Essex Property Trust in the 1st quarter valued at $44,000. Finally, Elevation Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Essex Property Trust by 523.1% during the 2nd quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 162 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the period. 96.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Mary Kasaris sold 600 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $279.45, for a total value of $167,670.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 2,394 shares in the company, valued at approximately $669,003.30. This represents a 20.04% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 3.47% of the company's stock.

Essex Property Trust Price Performance

Essex Property Trust stock opened at $281.09 on Thursday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $288.28 and a 200-day moving average of $268.02. Essex Property Trust, Inc. has a 52-week low of $238.46 and a 52-week high of $303.35. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.72, a PEG ratio of 10.35 and a beta of 0.69.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

ESS has been the topic of several research reports. Sanford C. Bernstein started coverage on Essex Property Trust in a research report on Friday, June 26th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $320.00 target price on the stock. Citizens Jmp raised Essex Property Trust from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $330.00 price target for the company in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Scotiabank upped their price target on Essex Property Trust from $290.00 to $307.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Truist Financial upped their price target on Essex Property Trust from $273.00 to $286.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 27th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on Essex Property Trust from $306.00 to $312.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, July 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $303.99.

About Essex Property Trust

Essex Property Trust, Inc NYSE: ESS is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that acquires, develops, owns and operates multifamily residential properties. The company focuses on market-rate apartment communities and delivers a full suite of property services including leasing, resident services, asset management, and capital improvement programs designed to preserve and enhance long‑term property values.

Essex concentrates its portfolio in West Coast markets, with a significant presence in California and the Pacific Northwest.

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