Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) has received a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from thirteen research firms monitoring the company, as reported by Marketbeat Ratings. Among these analysts, two have assigned a hold rating while eleven recommend buying the stock. The average twelve-month target price for EPRT currently stands at $35.54.
Several investment firms have provided updates on their outlook for Essential Properties. On November 25, Scotiabank raised its price objective from $33.00 to $34.00, maintaining a “sector perform” rating. In a report dated October 23, Stifel Nicolaus set a target price of $36.00. Similarly, UBS Group increased its price target from $36.00 to $38.00 on August 15, granting the stock a “buy” rating. Berenberg Bank initiated coverage on October 13 with a “buy” rating and a price target of $36.00. Lastly, Cantor Fitzgerald adjusted its price target from $35.00 to $36.00 and issued an “overweight” rating on October 24.
Institutional Investments and Stock Performance
Recent adjustments by institutional investors highlight increasing confidence in Essential Properties Realty Trust. Vanguard Group Inc. enhanced its holdings by 3.2% in Q1, now owning 27,966,449 shares valued at approximately $912.83 million. State Street Corp grew its position by 8.2% in Q2, amassing 11,131,871 shares valued at $358.49 million. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake by 0.6% during the same quarter, owning 8,511,088 shares worth $277.80 million.
Other notable changes include Invesco Ltd., which expanded its holdings by 3.9% in Q2, and Geode Capital Management LLC, which increased its stake by 9.2%. Currently, institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.98% of Essential Properties Realty Trust.
With stock opening at $31.02, EPRT has demonstrated stable performance metrics. The company reports a current ratio of 5.66, a quick ratio of 5.66, and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. Its market capitalization is approximately $6.15 billion, with a P/E ratio of 25.01 and a beta of 0.98. The stock has fluctuated between a twelve-month low of $27.44 and a high of $33.35.
Quarterly Results and Dividend Announcement
On October 22, Essential Properties Realty Trust reported quarterly earnings, achieving an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.48, aligning with analyst expectations. The firm recorded a net margin of 45.25% and a return on equity of 6.38%. Revenue for the quarter reached $144.93 million, surpassing estimates of $140.42 million, marking a year-over-year increase of 23.7%.
Looking ahead, the company has set its fiscal year 2026 guidance at an EPS range of $1.980 to $2.040 and for fiscal year 2025 at $1.870 to $1.890. Analysts predict an EPS of $1.83 for the current year.
In a positive development for shareholders, Essential Properties Realty Trust has announced a quarterly dividend of $0.31 per share, to be distributed on January 14, 2026. This marks an increase from the prior quarterly dividend of $0.30. Shareholders of record on December 31, 2024, will be eligible for this dividend, which represents an annualized total of $1.24 and a dividend yield of 4.0%. The company’s current dividend payout ratio stands at 96.77%.
Essential Properties Realty Trust, based in the United States, focuses on acquiring, owning, and managing single-tenant properties leased to middle-market companies across various sectors, including restaurants, automotive services, and healthcare.
