EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) Short Interest Update

EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 4,098,441 shares, a decline of 13.3% from the December 31st total of 4,725,698 shares. Currently, 5.5% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 793,785 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.2 days. Based on an average daily volume of 793,785 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.2 days. Currently, 5.5% of the company’s stock are short sold.

EPR Properties Stock Performance

EPR Properties stock traded up $0.79 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $56.14. 235,936 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 808,564. EPR Properties has a 12-month low of $41.75 and a 12-month high of $61.24. The business’s 50-day moving average is $52.00 and its 200-day moving average is $53.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 7.21 and a quick ratio of 7.21. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.27 billion, a PE ratio of 24.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.18 and a beta of 0.99.

EPR Properties Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 30th will be given a $0.295 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 30th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 6.3%. EPR Properties’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 154.59%.

Insider Transactions at EPR Properties

In related news, EVP Gregory E. Zimmerman sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.89, for a total transaction of $404,175.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 66,294 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,572,583.66. This represents a 10.16% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 2.31% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On EPR Properties

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its position in EPR Properties by 1.0% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 96,061 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $5,054,000 after purchasing an additional 976 shares in the last quarter. United Services Automobile Association bought a new stake in EPR Properties during the 1st quarter worth approximately $251,000. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its holdings in EPR Properties by 10.1% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 8,746 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $460,000 after purchasing an additional 804 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its position in shares of EPR Properties by 13.4% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 524,883 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $27,614,000 after purchasing an additional 61,844 shares during the period. Finally, Focus Partners Wealth boosted its position in shares of EPR Properties by 13.6% in the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 8,861 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $466,000 after purchasing an additional 1,062 shares during the period. 74.66% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on EPR. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of EPR Properties from $56.00 to $54.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating and set a $58.00 target price on shares of EPR Properties in a research note on Friday, January 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on EPR Properties from $65.00 to $58.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of EPR Properties in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price objective on EPR Properties from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $58.36.

EPR Properties Company Profile

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.