Vanderbilt University Has $1.71 Million Stock Position in Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT)

Vanderbilt University grew its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT - Free Report) by 54.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 54,568 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 19,197 shares during the period. Vanderbilt University's holdings in Essential Properties Realty Trust were worth $1,707,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co. bought a new stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust during the 3rd quarter valued at about $69,473,000. Adelante Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 3,964.9% during the third quarter. Adelante Capital Management LLC now owns 1,111,634 shares of the company's stock valued at $37,962,000 after purchasing an additional 1,084,287 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC raised its position in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 434.0% during the 3rd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 1,086,529 shares of the company's stock worth $37,105,000 after purchasing an additional 883,053 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its holdings in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 33.0% in the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 2,503,405 shares of the company's stock worth $85,491,000 after purchasing an additional 621,445 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can boosted its position in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 840.9% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 622,034 shares of the company's stock valued at $21,242,000 after purchasing an additional 555,926 shares during the period. 96.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. UBS Group increased their target price on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $39.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $38.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $37.00 to $34.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Mizuho lifted their price target on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, November 14th. Finally, Scotiabank boosted their price objective on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Monday, November 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Essential Properties Realty Trust has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $33.85.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Price Performance

NYSE:EPRT traded down $0.18 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $31.55. 897,590 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 837,843. Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. has a 1-year low of $23.58 and a 1-year high of $34.88. The company has a current ratio of 5.59, a quick ratio of 5.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.53 billion, a PE ratio of 27.43, a PEG ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 1.40. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $31.85 and a 200 day moving average price of $32.09.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, January 14th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st were issued a $0.295 dividend. This is an increase from Essential Properties Realty Trust's previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.74%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. Essential Properties Realty Trust's payout ratio is presently 102.61%.

About Essential Properties Realty Trust

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.