HighTower Advisors LLC Raises Stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. $EPRT

HighTower Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) by 22.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 93,618 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 17,104 shares during the period. HighTower Advisors LLC’s holdings in Essential Properties Realty Trust were worth $2,786,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of EPRT. Virtus Investment Advisers LLC increased its position in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 11.5% during the second quarter. Virtus Investment Advisers LLC now owns 5,303 shares of the company’s stock worth $169,000 after purchasing an additional 549 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 24.8% in the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 2,861 shares of the company’s stock valued at $85,000 after buying an additional 569 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 43,461 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,386,000 after buying an additional 598 shares during the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 7.4% during the 2nd quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 9,144 shares of the company’s stock valued at $292,000 after buying an additional 632 shares during the period. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its holdings in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 54.2% in the third quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,867 shares of the company’s stock valued at $56,000 after acquiring an additional 656 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.98% of the company’s stock.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Trading Up 0.7%

Shares of EPRT stock opened at $33.68 on Friday. Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $27.44 and a fifty-two week high of $33.70. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $30.84 and a 200 day moving average price of $30.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 6.37 and a current ratio of 6.37.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were paid a $0.31 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 31st. This is an increase from Essential Properties Realty Trust’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.7%. Essential Properties Realty Trust’s payout ratio is 96.88%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on EPRT shares. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a research note on Friday, February 13th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $37.00 price objective on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $33.00 to $34.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $35.67.

About Essential Properties Realty Trust

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc (NYSE: EPRT) is a self-administered real estate investment trust that acquires, owns and manages single-tenant commercial properties subject to long-term, triple-net leases. The company’s portfolio primarily consists of small-box retail and industrial assets, including convenience stores, automotive service centers, quick-service restaurants, fitness centers and other necessity-based businesses. Under a triple-net lease structure, tenants assume responsibility for property taxes, insurance and most maintenance expenses, providing Essential Properties with predictable, stable cash flows.

Since its founding in April 2016 and its initial public offering later that year, Essential Properties has pursued a growth strategy focused on partnering with creditworthy tenants operating in densely populated trade areas.