SG Americas Securities LLC Lowers Stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT)

SG Americas Securities LLC trimmed its stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT - Free Report) by 86.9% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 16,186 shares of the company's stock after selling 107,668 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC's holdings in Essential Properties Realty Trust were worth $414,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its holdings in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 31.4% in the 3rd quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 5,305,696 shares of the company's stock worth $114,762,000 after buying an additional 1,267,534 shares during the period. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 9.0% during the 3rd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 49,834 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,078,000 after purchasing an additional 4,105 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 5.9% during the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,133,159 shares of the company's stock valued at $24,510,000 after purchasing an additional 63,496 shares during the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 12.6% during the 3rd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 556,319 shares of the company's stock valued at $12,033,000 after purchasing an additional 62,169 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA purchased a new position in Essential Properties Realty Trust in the third quarter worth about $715,000. 96.98% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on EPRT shares. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $27.00 to $27.50 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 19th. B. Riley reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $29.00 price objective (up previously from $27.50) on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a research note on Wednesday, March 13th. Raymond James raised their price objective on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $28.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, January 8th. Citigroup raised shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $25.00 to $28.50 in a research note on Friday, March 22nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a research note on Tuesday, February 13th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $29.00 price objective for the company. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $28.22.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Peter M. Mavoides sold 17,618 shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $24.90, for a total transaction of $438,688.20. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 353,303 shares of the company's stock, valued at $8,797,244.70. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Peter M. Mavoides sold 5,494 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.05, for a total value of $143,118.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 414,506 shares of the company's stock, valued at $10,797,881.30. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Peter M. Mavoides sold 17,618 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.90, for a total transaction of $438,688.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 353,303 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,797,244.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 50,018 shares of company stock valued at $1,256,556. Corporate insiders own 1.06% of the company's stock.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust stock traded up $0.06 on Friday, hitting $25.53. 631,324 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,769,618. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $25.02 and its 200-day moving average price is $24.11. The company has a current ratio of 5.01, a quick ratio of 5.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. has a 52 week low of $20.49 and a 52 week high of $26.77. The company has a market cap of $4.32 billion, a PE ratio of 20.59, a PEG ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 1.27.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 29th will be paid a dividend of $0.285 per share. This represents a $1.14 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 27th. Essential Properties Realty Trust's dividend payout ratio is presently 91.94%.

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.