Daiwa Securities Group Inc. Boosts Stock Position in Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT)

Daiwa Securities Group Inc. lifted its stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT - Free Report) by 409.2% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 241,386 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 193,979 shares during the period. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. owned approximately 0.14% of Essential Properties Realty Trust worth $6,435,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. EdgeRock Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Heritage Wealth Advisors raised its position in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 71.4% in the fourth quarter. Heritage Wealth Advisors now owns 1,200 shares of the company's stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Principal Securities Inc. bought a new stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust during the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Signaturefd LLC grew its position in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 666.8% during the fourth quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 2,492 shares of the company's stock worth $64,000 after buying an additional 2,167 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quadrant Capital Group LLC increased its stake in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 15.5% in the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 6,567 shares of the company's stock worth $168,000 after acquiring an additional 881 shares during the last quarter. 96.98% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Trading Down 1.6 %

NYSE EPRT traded down $0.44 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $27.84. 1,105,457 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,382,515. The firm has a market cap of $4.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.63, a PEG ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 1.35. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $27.28 and a two-hundred day moving average of $25.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 7.61 and a quick ratio of 7.61. Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. has a 12-month low of $20.49 and a 12-month high of $28.38.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 12th. Investors of record on Friday, June 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.29 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 28th. This is a boost from Essential Properties Realty Trust's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.17%. Essential Properties Realty Trust's dividend payout ratio is currently 94.31%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Peter M. Mavoides sold 12,712 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $28.03, for a total value of $356,317.36. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 500,552 shares in the company, valued at $14,030,472.56. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Peter M. Mavoides sold 12,712 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $28.03, for a total transaction of $356,317.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 500,552 shares of the company's stock, valued at $14,030,472.56. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Stephen D. Sautel sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.09, for a total transaction of $677,250.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 247,492 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,704,558.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 59,775 shares of company stock worth $1,641,734 in the last ninety days. 0.81% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on EPRT shares. Mizuho lifted their price target on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $26.00 to $29.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, May 10th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $26.00 to $28.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 29th. UBS Group began coverage on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a report on Friday, May 31st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $30.00 price target on the stock. B. Riley restated a "buy" rating and set a $29.00 price objective (up previously from $27.50) on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a research report on Wednesday, March 13th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $27.00 to $27.50 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Essential Properties Realty Trust presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $29.00.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Profile

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc, a real estate company, acquires, owns, and manages single-tenant properties in the United States. The company leases its properties to middle-market companies, such as restaurants, car washes, automotive services, medical and dental services, convenience stores, equipment rental, entertainment, early childhood education, grocery, and health and fitness on a long-term basis.