EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) Short Interest Down 20.7% in March

EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,260,000 shares, a decrease of 20.7% from the February 28th total of 2,850,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 713,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.2 days. Approximately 3.0% of the company's stock are sold short.

EPR Properties Trading Down 4.6 %

EPR Properties stock traded down $2.26 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $46.56. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,261,508 shares, compared to its average volume of 601,123. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 7.81 and a current ratio of 7.81. The company has a 50 day moving average of $50.12 and a 200-day moving average of $47.50. EPR Properties has a one year low of $39.66 and a one year high of $54.25. The stock has a market cap of $3.54 billion, a PE ratio of 20.21 and a beta of 1.72.

EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.22 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.66 by $0.56. The company had revenue of $149.12 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $161.25 million. EPR Properties had a net margin of 28.87% and a return on equity of 8.22%. On average, research analysts anticipate that EPR Properties will post 4.65 EPS for the current year.

EPR Properties Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be issued a $0.295 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $3.54 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.60%. This is a positive change from EPR Properties's previous monthly dividend of $0.29. EPR Properties's payout ratio is currently 221.25%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have commented on EPR shares. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on EPR Properties from $51.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of EPR Properties from $45.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of EPR Properties from $50.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 6th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of EPR Properties from $51.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, March 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $51.00.

Insider Transactions at EPR Properties

In other EPR Properties news, SVP Brian Andrew Moriarty sold 2,500 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.99, for a total transaction of $129,975.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 15,299 shares in the company, valued at approximately $795,395.01. This represents a 14.05 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Tonya L. Mater sold 3,120 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.90, for a total value of $161,928.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 46,827 shares in the company, valued at $2,430,321.30. The trade was a 6.25 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 9,520 shares of company stock valued at $502,581. Insiders own 2.13% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On EPR Properties

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Wealthfront Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in EPR Properties in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $302,313,000. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of EPR Properties by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,425,119 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $69,904,000 after purchasing an additional 7,429 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in EPR Properties by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,380,301 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $61,120,000 after buying an additional 30,401 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in EPR Properties by 5.6% during the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,145,267 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $50,712,000 after buying an additional 60,953 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LSV Asset Management increased its position in EPR Properties by 12.3% during the 4th quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 1,129,098 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $49,996,000 after buying an additional 123,400 shares in the last quarter. 74.66% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.