Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (EPRT) To Go Ex-Dividend on March 31st

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) announced a quarterly dividend on Monday, March 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be given a dividend of 0.31 per share on Tuesday, April 14th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 31st.

Essential Properties Realty Trust has raised its dividend payment by an average of 0.1%annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 6 years. Essential Properties Realty Trust has a dividend payout ratio of 92.5% meaning its dividend is currently covered by earnings, but may not be in the future if the company’s earnings tumble. Analysts expect Essential Properties Realty Trust to earn $1.98 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.24 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 62.6%.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:EPRT opened at $30.39 on Friday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $32.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $30.94. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.24 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 6.37 and a quick ratio of 6.37. Essential Properties Realty Trust has a 1 year low of $27.44 and a 1 year high of $34.73.

Insider Buying and Selling at Essential Properties Realty Trust

In related news, VP A Joseph Peil sold 19,657 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, March 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.10, for a total transaction of $630,989.70. Following the sale, the vice president owned 76,525 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,456,452.50. This trade represents a 20.44% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Robert Webb Salisbury sold 5,851 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, March 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $31.88, for a total value of $186,529.88. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 8,310 shares in the company, valued at approximately $264,922.80. This trade represents a 41.32% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.77% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Essential Properties Realty Trust

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cohen & Steers Inc. increased its stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 111.6% in the fourth quarter. Cohen & Steers Inc. now owns 18,611,967 shares of the company’s stock valued at $552,031,000 after buying an additional 9,816,042 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its position in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 1,930,360.7% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 6,737,308 shares of the company’s stock worth $199,829,000 after buying an additional 6,736,959 shares during the period. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. boosted its position in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 4,681.4% during the 4th quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 3,997,593 shares of the company’s stock worth $118,569,000 after buying an additional 3,913,986 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $84,188,000. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. increased its position in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 195.4% in the 3rd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 3,970,789 shares of the company’s stock valued at $118,171,000 after acquiring an additional 2,626,478 shares during the period. 96.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.