Victory Capital Management Inc. has notably scaled back its position in EPR Properties, a move that signals dynamic shifts within institutional investor portfolios. This action comes amidst broader activity from major investment firms, many of whom have either adjusted their existing stakes or initiated new ones in the prominent real estate investment trust (REIT), reflecting diverse market sentiments towards EPR Properties stock.
Specifically, Victory Capital Management Inc. divested 204 shares of EPR Properties in the first quarter, bringing their total holdings down to 13,818 shares. This reduction, a 1.5% decrease, was detailed in their most recent filing with the SEC. As of their latest SEC disclosure, Victory Capital Management Inc.’s remaining investment in EPR Properties was valued at $727,000, underscoring a strategic adjustment in their equity portfolio.
Despite Victory Capital’s reduction, several other significant investors have recently amplified their presence in EPR Properties. Midwest Professional Planners LTD., for example, substantially increased its stake by 34.2% during the first quarter. This acquisition of an additional 8,404 shares brought their total to 32,956 shares, valued at $1,734,000, signaling strong confidence in the REIT’s prospects.
The first quarter also saw new entrants to EPR Properties’ investor base. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd established a substantial new position valued at approximately $4,825,000. Similarly, Edgestream Partners L.P. acquired a new stake worth about $2,467,000, further diversifying the institutional ownership landscape and highlighting the appeal of EPR Properties within the real estate investment trust sector.
Further demonstrating varying investor strategies, CWM LLC boosted its holdings in EPR Properties by an impressive 71.7% in the first quarter, purchasing 3,864 additional shares to reach 9,252 shares valued at $487,000. Meanwhile, Cerity Partners LLC incrementally increased its position by 6.6%, adding 1,360 shares for a total of 22,089 shares, now worth $1,162,000. Collectively, institutional investors now account for 74.66% of the company’s outstanding stock, signifying a strong institutional backing.
From a market analysis perspective, EPR Properties recently opened at $54.94. The stock exhibits a 50-day simple moving average of $57.51 and a 200-day simple moving average of $52.41. With a market capitalization of $4.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.06, and a robust current ratio of 7.77, the company’s financial health and market valuation remain key points of interest for investors tracking its share transactions and overall performance.
EPR Properties recently declared a dividend of $0.295 per share, payable on Friday, August 15th, to shareholders of record by Thursday, July 31st. This dividend represents a yield of 590.0% and indicates a present dividend payout ratio of 174.38%, factors closely scrutinized by income-focused institutional investors.
Insider activity also provides insight into the company’s dynamics. An Executive Vice President recently sold 7,500 shares of EPR Properties stock for $54.94 per share, totaling $412,050.00. This transaction, which reduced the EVP’s direct ownership by 7.22%, was disclosed via an SEC filing. Insiders collectively own 2.31% of the company’s stock, providing a balanced perspective on their commitment.
Analyst consensus paints a picture of cautious optimism for EPR Properties. While some firms like Stifel Nicolaus and Truist Financial have adjusted their price targets upward with “buy” or “hold” ratings, others, such as Wells Fargo & Company, maintain an “underweight” stance. Overall, MarketBeat indicates an average rating of “Moderate Buy” for the company, with a consensus price target of $57.36, highlighting the mixed but generally positive outlook for this real estate investment trust specializing in experiential properties.
