EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) Short Interest Update

EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 5,810,668 shares, an increase of 41.2% from the February 26th total of 4,115,799 shares. Approximately 7.8% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 943,008 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 6.2 days.

EPR Properties Stock Down 2.0%

Shares of EPR Properties stock traded down $0.97 during trading on Friday, hitting $48.64. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,200,889 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,009,678. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 8.81 and a current ratio of 8.81. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $55.75 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $53.90. The company has a market capitalization of $3.72 billion, a PE ratio of 14.87, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 0.95. EPR Properties has a 52 week low of $41.75 and a 52 week high of $62.08.

EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.01. EPR Properties had a net margin of 38.27% and a return on equity of 11.81%. The company had revenue of $182.95 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $181.76 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.22 EPS. EPR Properties’s revenue was up 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. EPR Properties has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.280-5.480 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that EPR Properties will post 4.65 earnings per share for the current year.

EPR Properties Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.31 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 31st. This is a positive change from EPR Properties’s previous monthly dividend of $0.30. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.6%. EPR Properties’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 108.26%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on EPR shares. UBS Group increased their price target on shares of EPR Properties from $54.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, March 9th. Raymond James Financial cut EPR Properties from a “strong-buy” rating to an “outperform” rating and cut their price objective for the company from $62.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Tuesday, March 17th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of EPR Properties in a report on Monday, December 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on EPR Properties from $58.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Friday, March 6th. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price target on EPR Properties from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, March 6th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, EPR Properties currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $59.50.

Insider Buying and Selling at EPR Properties

In other EPR Properties news, Director Lisa G. Trimberger sold 6,633 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.83, for a total transaction of $383,586.39. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 6,586 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $380,868.38. The trade was a 50.18% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Brian Andrew Moriarty sold 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, March 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.44, for a total transaction of $282,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 13,704 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $773,453.76. This trade represents a 26.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 22,133 shares of company stock valued at $1,242,101. 2.31% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On EPR Properties

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of EPR. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC grew its holdings in shares of EPR Properties by 66.7% during the fourth quarter. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC now owns 500 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in EPR Properties in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. True Wealth Design LLC raised its holdings in EPR Properties by 99.6% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 461 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 230 shares during the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new position in EPR Properties in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Strategic Advocates LLC bought a new position in EPR Properties in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.66% of the company’s stock.

About EPR Properties

EPR Properties is a real estate investment trust that specializes in experiential properties across the United States, Canada and select international markets. Established in 1997 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, the company targets properties in the entertainment, recreation and education sectors. Its portfolio includes movie theaters, ski resorts, family entertainment centers, charter schools and other venues that benefit from consumer-driven experiences.

The trust employs long-term, triple-net lease agreements, where tenants are responsible for real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance.