EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 2,150,000 shares, a growth of 7.0% from the March 15th total of 2,010,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 651,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.3 days. Approximately 2.9% of the company’s shares are short sold.

EPR Properties Stock Performance

Shares of EPR stock opened at $40.39 on Tuesday. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $41.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $43.92. The company has a market cap of $3.06 billion, a PE ratio of 20.50 and a beta of 1.65. The company has a current ratio of 7.53, a quick ratio of 7.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. EPR Properties has a 12-month low of $39.01 and a 12-month high of $49.10.

EPR Properties Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 28th were given a $0.285 dividend. This represents a $3.42 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.47%. This is an increase from EPR Properties’s previous monthly dividend of $0.28. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 27th. EPR Properties’s dividend payout ratio is presently 173.60%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have issued reports on EPR. JMP Securities lowered EPR Properties from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research report on Monday, January 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded EPR Properties from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and set a $51.00 target price for the company in a report on Monday, December 18th. Raymond James upped their target price on EPR Properties from $50.00 to $54.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, January 8th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on EPR Properties from $48.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Finally, Truist Financial lowered their target price on EPR Properties from $51.00 to $46.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $48.05.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On EPR Properties

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of EPR Properties in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of EPR Properties in the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Principal Securities Inc. acquired a new position in shares of EPR Properties in the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. State of Wyoming acquired a new position in shares of EPR Properties in the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, Mather Group LLC. acquired a new position in shares of EPR Properties in the 1st quarter valued at $36,000. 74.66% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About EPR Properties

EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) is the leading diversified experiential net lease real estate investment trust (REIT), specializing in select enduring experiential properties in the real estate industry. We focus on real estate venues that create value by facilitating out of home leisure and recreation experiences where consumers choose to spend their discretionary time and money.