Russell Investments Group Ltd. Purchases 393,041 Shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT)

Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT - Free Report) by 17.7% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,614,218 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 393,041 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned 1.57% of Essential Properties Realty Trust worth $66,947,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 24,730,518 shares of the company's stock valued at $534,921,000 after purchasing an additional 134,840 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 36.6% in the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 6,015,270 shares of the company's stock valued at $130,110,000 after acquiring an additional 1,611,484 shares during the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 31.4% in the third quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 5,305,696 shares of the company's stock valued at $114,762,000 after acquiring an additional 1,267,534 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 8.9% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,209,156 shares of the company's stock valued at $47,784,000 after acquiring an additional 180,393 shares during the period. Finally, Northern Trust Corp increased its stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 3.1% during the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 2,060,124 shares of the company's stock worth $44,560,000 after purchasing an additional 61,323 shares during the last quarter. 96.98% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Price Performance

Shares of NYSE EPRT traded up $0.62 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $26.31. 1,021,984 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,351,356. The company has a current ratio of 7.61, a quick ratio of 7.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The business's fifty day moving average price is $25.35 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $24.57. The company has a market cap of $4.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.39, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.27. Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. has a 12-month low of $20.49 and a 12-month high of $26.77.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 12th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 29th were issued a $0.285 dividend. This represents a $1.14 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.33%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 27th. Essential Properties Realty Trust's payout ratio is 92.68%.

Insider Activity

In other Essential Properties Realty Trust news, CEO Peter M. Mavoides sold 17,618 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.90, for a total transaction of $438,688.20. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 353,303 shares in the company, valued at $8,797,244.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CEO Peter M. Mavoides sold 5,714 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.08, for a total value of $143,307.12. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 565,892 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,192,571.36. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Peter M. Mavoides sold 17,618 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 353,303 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,797,244.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 44,524 shares of company stock worth $1,113,438. 0.81% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

EPRT has been the topic of several research analyst reports. B. Riley reiterated 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. Mizuho reduced their price target on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $27.00 to $26.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 7th. Raymond James increased their price objective on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $28.00 to $29.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, January 8th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $27.00 to $27.50 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 19th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets began coverage on Essential Properties Realty Trust in a research report on Tuesday, February 13th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $29.00 price target on the stock. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $28.22.

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.