Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPT) Reaches New 12-Month Low - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• Medical Properties Trust shares hit a new 52-week low of $3.86, closing near $3.87 as analyst sentiment remained weak. The stock carries a consensus “Sell” rating, with an average price target of $4.15.
• Analysts lowered their price targets, including Wells Fargo’s reduction to $3.80 and RBC’s cut to $4.50. The company reported quarterly revenue growth of 7.9% and met earnings expectations at $0.15 per share.
• Medical Properties Trust declared a quarterly dividend of $0.09 per share, equivalent to a 9.2% annualized yield, despite a negative payout ratio. Institutional investors own approximately 71.79% of the stock, with BlackRock establishing a sizable new position.

Shares of Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPT - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $3.86 and last traded at $3.87, with a volume of 5179016 shares. The stock had previously closed at $3.99.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on MPT shares. Weiss Ratings cut Medical Properties Trust from a "sell (d+)" rating to a "sell (d)" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on Medical Properties Trust from $5.00 to $4.50 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, June 18th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Medical Properties Trust from $5.00 to $3.80 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Sell" and a consensus price target of $4.15.

Medical Properties Trust Price Performance

The stock has a 50-day moving average of $4.41. The company has a market cap of $2.34 billion, a PE ratio of -65.33 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.16, a current ratio of 3.12 and a quick ratio of 3.12.

Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 10th. The company reported $0.15 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.15. The business had revenue of $259.28 million during the quarter. Medical Properties Trust had a negative net margin of 2.96% and a negative return on equity of 0.66%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Medical Properties Trust, Inc. will post 0.6 earnings per share for the current year.

Medical Properties Trust Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 8th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 10th will be issued a $0.09 dividend. This represents a $0.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 9.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 10th. Medical Properties Trust's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -600.00%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Medical Properties Trust

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in Medical Properties Trust in the 2nd quarter worth about $347,673,000. Allianz Asset Management GmbH acquired a new stake in shares of Medical Properties Trust in the second quarter valued at about $33,903,000. Advisors Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Medical Properties Trust during the second quarter worth about $30,483,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new position in shares of Medical Properties Trust in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,285,000. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG acquired a new position in Medical Properties Trust in the second quarter valued at $25,302,000. 71.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Medical Properties Trust

Medical Properties Trust, Inc NYSE: MPT is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, owns and finances hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Founded in 2003 by Edward K. Aldag Jr., the company’s business model centers on providing real estate capital to healthcare operators through long-term leases, sale-leaseback transactions, build-to-suit developments and mortgage financing. By specializing in healthcare real estate, MPT aims to deliver steady rental income and asset-based returns while enabling operators to access capital for clinical operations and growth.

The company’s portfolio primarily comprises acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, long-term acute care facilities, behavioral health centers and other specialty hospitals.

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