EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) Sees Large Volume Increase - Still a Buy?

Key Points

• Trading volume jumped 54% to about 1.23 million shares, while EPR stock was nearly unchanged at roughly $59.36.
• Analysts’ consensus rating is Moderate Buy, with an average price target of $65.50; eight analysts rate the shares Buy and five rate them Hold.
• EPR reported quarterly EPS of $1.22, beating the $0.83 consensus, and revenue rose 12% year over year. Its monthly dividend annualizes to $3.72 per share, a 6.2% yield, though the reported payout ratio is 105.08%.

Shares of EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR - Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Thursday. Approximately 1,229,904 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 54% from the average daily volume of 796,799 shares. The stock last traded at $59.3630 and had previously closed at $59.38.

Trending Headlines about EPR Properties

Here are a few of the latest headlines about EPR:

• Positive Sentiment: EPR plans share repurchases alongside the notes offering, which could support per-share value and partially offset possible dilution. EPR Properties prices notes offering with share repurchases planned
• Neutral Sentiment: The company priced $500 million of 4.5% convertible senior notes due 2032, with settlement scheduled for November 16. The notes provide long-term financing, while conversion terms could affect future share count. EPR Properties prices convertible senior notes
• Neutral Sentiment: A recent investor article highlighted EPR’s 6.2% yield and portfolio of experiential properties, including cinemas, amusement parks and casino resorts. The income appeal may attract yield-focused investors, though the article does not report a new operating development. With a yield of 6.2%, is it time to buy this entertainment REIT?

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently commented on EPR shares. Citigroup decreased their target price on shares of EPR Properties from $65.00 to $63.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on shares of EPR Properties from $61.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Friday, August 7th. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of EPR Properties from $61.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, November 6th. Weiss Ratings restated a "buy (b)" rating on shares of EPR Properties in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and set a $65.00 price objective on shares of EPR Properties in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $65.50.

EPR Properties Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 8.42 and a current ratio of 8.42. The business's 50-day moving average is $57.32 and its 200-day moving average is $57.57. The company has a market capitalization of $4.57 billion, a PE ratio of 16.85, a PEG ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 1.05.

EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.39. The business had revenue of $204.10 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $169.74 million. EPR Properties had a return on equity of 12.78% and a net margin of 38.83%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.37 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that EPR Properties will post 5.38 earnings per share for the current year.

EPR Properties Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, November 30th will be issued a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 30th. This represents a $3.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.2%. EPR Properties's payout ratio is presently 105.08%.

Insider Activity

In other EPR Properties news, SVP Elizabeth Grace sold 4,200 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.57, for a total value of $254,394.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 22,427 shares in the company, valued at $1,358,403.39. This represents a 15.77% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.03% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On EPR Properties

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Private Advisor Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of EPR Properties by 123.7% in the third quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 20,625 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $1,158,000 after purchasing an additional 11,406 shares in the last quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC raised its stake in EPR Properties by 6.1% during the third quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 75,809 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $4,255,000 after purchasing an additional 4,358 shares in the last quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board raised its stake in EPR Properties by 79.3% during the third quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 407,575 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $22,343,000 after purchasing an additional 180,245 shares in the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its position in EPR Properties by 102.1% during the third quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 3,472 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $195,000 after purchasing an additional 1,754 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Edgestream Partners L.P. bought a new position in EPR Properties during the third quarter valued at $3,948,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.66% of the company's stock.

About EPR Properties

EPR Properties is a real estate investment trust focused on experiential properties—places where people gather for recreation, entertainment and education. The company invests in and leases properties to operators, generally through long-term agreements. Its portfolio includes movie theaters, amusement and water parks, ski resorts, golf and other entertainment venues, and educational facilities such as private schools and early childhood education centers. EPR groups its investments into entertainment, recreation and education categories.

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