Short Interest in Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (NYSE:CHCT) Increases By 40.6%

Key Points

• Short interest in Community Healthcare Trust (CHCT) rose by 40.6% in August, reaching 933,100 shares, indicating increased bearish sentiment among investors.
• The company recently declared a quarterly dividend increase to $0.4725 per share, resulting in a 12.0% annualized yield despite a negative payout ratio of -484.62%.
• Analysts maintain a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" with a target price of $18.00, reflecting optimism about future growth for CHCT.

Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (NYSE:CHCT - Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totaling 933,100 shares, a growth of 40.6% from the July 31st total of 663,500 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 265,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.5 days. Based on an average daily volume of 265,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.5 days.

Community Healthcare Trust Price Performance

NYSE:CHCT traded down $0.04 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $15.70. 127,016 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 171,125. The stock has a market capitalization of $445.27 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -40.24 and a beta of 0.69. Community Healthcare Trust has a 52-week low of $14.20 and a 52-week high of $20.87. The company's 50 day moving average price is $15.67 and its 200-day moving average price is $16.54.

Community Healthcare Trust (NYSE:CHCT - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.54 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $30.13 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $30.22 million. Community Healthcare Trust had a negative return on equity of 1.59% and a negative net margin of 6.25%. On average, equities analysts predict that Community Healthcare Trust will post 1.85 earnings per share for the current year.

Community Healthcare Trust Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 8th were given a dividend of $0.4725 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 8th. This represents a $1.89 annualized dividend and a yield of 12.0%. This is a boost from Community Healthcare Trust's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. Community Healthcare Trust's payout ratio is presently -484.62%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Piper Sandler reaffirmed an "overweight" rating on shares of Community Healthcare Trust in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Zacks Research raised shares of Community Healthcare Trust from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Finally, Truist Financial cut their price objective on shares of Community Healthcare Trust from $23.00 to $19.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $18.00.

Institutional Trading of Community Healthcare Trust

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of CHCT. Anchor Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Community Healthcare Trust during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in Community Healthcare Trust during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $114,000. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in Community Healthcare Trust by 2,866.5% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 6,556 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $119,000 after acquiring an additional 6,335 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Community Healthcare Trust during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $163,000. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lifted its stake in Community Healthcare Trust by 50.2% during the 1st quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 9,002 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $163,000 after acquiring an additional 3,009 shares during the period. 87.84% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Community Healthcare Trust

Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (the Company'', we'', our'') was organized in the State of Maryland on March 28, 2014. The Company is a fully-integrated healthcare real estate company that owns and acquires real estate properties that are leased to hospitals, doctors, healthcare systems or other healthcare service providers.