Short Interest in EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) Increases By 14.9%

EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) was the target of a large growth in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,550,000 shares, a growth of 14.9% from the December 31st total of 2,220,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 489,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 5.2 days. Currently, 3.4% of the company’s stock are sold short.

EPR Properties Stock Performance

EPR stock opened at $46.12 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $3.49 billion, a PE ratio of 19.96 and a beta of 1.75. The company has a quick ratio of 7.81, a current ratio of 7.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19. The business has a 50 day moving average of $45.23 and a 200-day moving average of $46.05. EPR Properties has a 12-month low of $39.65 and a 12-month high of $50.26.

EPR Properties Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a jan 25 dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.285 per share. This represents a yield of 7.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 31st. EPR Properties’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 148.05%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $50.00 target price on shares of EPR Properties in a research report on Thursday. UBS Group began coverage on EPR Properties in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $48.00 target price for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $47.94.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On EPR Properties

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in EPR. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of EPR Properties by 1,725.0% in the third quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC now owns 511 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 483 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of EPR Properties in the third quarter worth $27,000. Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new stake in shares of EPR Properties in the third quarter worth $27,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of EPR Properties by 67.2% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 709 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 285 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in shares of EPR Properties by 38.9% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 825 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 231 shares in the last quarter. 74.66% of the stock is owned by 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.