VICI Properties Sees Unusually High Options Volume (NYSE:VICI)

Key Points

• VICI Properties saw unusually heavy bearish options activity: Investors purchased 10,261 put options, 215% above the typical volume of 3,256. Shares rose 0.5% to $22.77 but remain near their 12-month low.
• The company reported quarterly EPS of $0.62, missing estimates of $0.71, while revenue increased 5.7% year over year to $1.06 billion. Analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with an average price target of $30.
• VICI increased its quarterly dividend to $0.46 per share, or $1.84 annualized, representing an 8.1% yield. Institutional investors own 97.71% of the company’s outstanding stock.

VICI Properties Inc. (NYSE:VICI - Get Free Report) was the target of some unusual options trading on Monday. Stock investors bought 10,261 put options on the company. This represents an increase of 215% compared to the typical volume of 3,256 put options.

VICI Properties Trading Up 0.5%

Shares of NYSE:VICI traded up $0.12 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $22.77. 2,459,904 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,538,885. The business's fifty day moving average price is $25.37 and its 200-day moving average price is $26.84. VICI Properties has a twelve month low of $22.42 and a twelve month high of $32.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 1.98 and a current ratio of 1.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $25.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.82 and a beta of 0.65.

VICI Properties (NYSE:VICI - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The company reported $0.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.71 by ($0.09). The company had revenue of $1.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.04 billion. VICI Properties had a net margin of 67.50% and a return on equity of 9.66%. VICI Properties's revenue for the quarter was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.60 EPS. VICI Properties has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.450-2.470 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that VICI Properties will post 2.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

VICI Properties Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 8th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.46 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 17th. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.1%. This is a boost from VICI Properties's previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. VICI Properties's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 71.32%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VICI. QRG Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in VICI Properties by 8.6% during the 2nd quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 456,786 shares of the company's stock valued at $12,128,000 after purchasing an additional 36,140 shares during the period. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. boosted its holdings in VICI Properties by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 33,596 shares of the company's stock valued at $892,000 after acquiring an additional 1,083 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its holdings in VICI Properties by 4.5% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 67,155,780 shares of the company's stock worth $1,812,259,000 after purchasing an additional 2,920,133 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its holdings in shares of VICI Properties by 19.3% in the second quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 1,097,823 shares of the company's stock valued at $29,147,000 after acquiring an additional 177,238 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tidal Investments LLC lifted its position in VICI Properties by 14.0% during the second quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 100,502 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,668,000 after acquiring an additional 12,362 shares during the last quarter. 97.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on VICI shares. Barclays lowered their target price on VICI Properties from $34.00 to $31.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Citigroup reissued a "market outperform" rating on shares of VICI Properties in a report on Friday. Citizens Jmp decreased their price objective on VICI Properties from $35.00 to $31.00 and set a "market outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Royal Bank Of Canada assumed coverage on VICI Properties in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. They issued a "sector perform" rating and a $29.00 target price for the company. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on VICI Properties from $27.00 to $26.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, September 1st. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, VICI Properties presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $30.00.

About VICI Properties

VICI Properties Inc NYSE: VICI is a real estate investment trust that owns and acquires experiential real estate, with a primary focus on gaming, hospitality and entertainment properties. The company generates revenue by leasing its properties to operating partners, generally under long-term, triple-net lease agreements that place responsibility for property-level expenses with the tenants.

VICI's portfolio includes some of the most recognized gaming and resort destinations in the United States, including properties associated with Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts International and other gaming operators.

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