Medical Properties Trust Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NYSE:MPT)

Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPT) was the target of some unusual options trading on Monday. Investors acquired 88,203 put options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 776% compared to the average daily volume of 10,073 put options.

Medical Properties Trust Stock Down 12.6%

Shares of MPT stock traded down $0.59 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $4.11. 19,099,389 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,153,672. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.13, a current ratio of 3.11 and a quick ratio of 3.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -19.57 and a beta of 1.41. Medical Properties Trust has a 1-year low of $3.95 and a 1-year high of $6.47. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $4.72.

Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPT) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 10th. The company reported $0.15 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.15. The firm had revenue of $259.28 million for the quarter. Medical Properties Trust had a negative net margin of 12.59% and a negative return on equity of 2.70%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Medical Properties Trust will post 0.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Medical Properties Trust Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 16th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 18th were given a dividend of $0.09 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 18th. This represents a $0.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.8%. Medical Properties Trust’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -171.43%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price objective on Medical Properties Trust from $5.00 to $4.50 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, June 18th. Weiss Ratings downgraded Medical Properties Trust from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Medical Properties Trust currently has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $4.50.

Institutional Trading of Medical Properties Trust

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in MPT. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Medical Properties Trust during the second quarter worth approximately $92,000. Nadler Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Medical Properties Trust in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $97,000. Ethic Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Medical Properties Trust during the 2nd quarter valued at $112,000. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Medical Properties Trust in the second quarter worth $124,000. Finally, Meeder Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Medical Properties Trust during the second quarter valued at $130,000. 71.79% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Medical Properties Trust Company Profile

Medical Properties Trust, Inc (NYSE: MPT) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, owns and finances hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Founded in 2003 by Edward K. Aldag Jr., the company’s business model centers on providing real estate capital to healthcare operators through long-term leases, sale-leaseback transactions, build-to-suit developments and mortgage financing. By specializing in healthcare real estate, MPT aims to deliver steady rental income and asset-based returns while enabling operators to access capital for clinical operations and growth.

The company’s portfolio primarily comprises acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, long-term acute care facilities, behavioral health centers and other specialty hospitals.