SG Americas Securities LLC Raises Stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. $EPRT

SG Americas Securities LLC increased its position in Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) by 138.7% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 56,991 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 33,119 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC’s holdings in Essential Properties Realty Trust were worth $1,696,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. TD Private Client Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in the second quarter valued at $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in Essential Properties Realty Trust in the second quarter valued at $44,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC purchased a new position in Essential Properties Realty Trust during the third quarter worth about $46,000. Finally, Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in Essential Properties Realty Trust during the second quarter worth about $108,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.98% of the company’s stock.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Stock Performance

Essential Properties Realty Trust stock opened at $30.55 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.05 billion, a PE ratio of 24.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.99. Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. has a one year low of $27.44 and a one year high of $33.35. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $30.52 and its 200 day moving average price is $30.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 5.66 and a current ratio of 5.66.

Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $0.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.48. The company had revenue of $144.93 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $140.42 million. Essential Properties Realty Trust had a net margin of 45.25% and a return on equity of 6.38%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 23.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.43 earnings per share. Essential Properties Realty Trust has set its FY 2026 guidance at 1.980-2.040 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 1.870-1.890 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. will post 1.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, January 14th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were given a $0.31 dividend. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 31st. This is an increase from Essential Properties Realty Trust’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. Essential Properties Realty Trust’s dividend payout ratio is currently 100.00%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently commented on EPRT. Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a report on Friday, October 31st. Evercore ISI cut their price target on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $36.00 to $35.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $37.00 price target on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus set a $36.00 price objective on Essential Properties Realty Trust in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Essential Properties Realty Trust currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $35.41.

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.