Short Interest in Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (NYSE:CHCT) Rises 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) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totaling 933,100 shares, agrowthof40.6% from the July 31st total of 663,500 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 265,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.5 days. Based on an average trading volume of 265,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.5 days.

Community Healthcare Trust Trading Up 0.8%

CHCT stock traded up $0.13 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $15.79. The company's stock had a trading volume of 211,940 shares, compared to its average volume of 189,318. The stock has a market cap of $447.77 million, a PE ratio of -40.47 and a beta of 0.69. Community Healthcare Trust has a fifty-two week low of $14.20 and a fifty-two week high of $20.87. The company's 50 day moving average is $15.80 and its two-hundred day moving average is $16.59.

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

Community Healthcare Trust Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 8th were issued a dividend of $0.4725 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 8th. This represents a $1.89 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 12.0%. This is an increase from Community Healthcare Trust's previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. Community Healthcare Trust's payout ratio is -484.62%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have commented on CHCT shares. Piper Sandler restated an "overweight" rating on shares of Community Healthcare Trust in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on 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. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Community Healthcare Trust from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $18.00.

Institutional Trading of Community Healthcare Trust

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Anchor Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Community Healthcare Trust during the 1st quarter worth approximately $38,000. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in shares of Community Healthcare Trust during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $114,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of 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 worth $119,000 after purchasing an additional 6,335 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Community Healthcare Trust during the 4th quarter worth approximately $163,000. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its position in shares of 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 worth $163,000 after purchasing an additional 3,009 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.84% of the company's stock.

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.

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