Deutsche Bank Cuts EPRT Price Target to $28

Deutsche Bank lowered its rating on Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) to Hold on October 20, 2026, while significantly reducing its price target from $38 to $28. The research note adjustment comes as the real estate investment trust trades near the lower end of its yearly range.

EPRT Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc.

$25.91 ▼ -10.93% year to date

1M 3M YTD

Daily close · Oct 22, 2026

Deutsche Bank's Call on Essential Properties Realty Trust

In its October 20, 2026 note, Deutsche Bank moved its stance on the retail property owner to Hold and carved $10 off its previous $38 target. The firm's updated target of $28 sits well below prior expectations as Wall Street firms adjust their outlooks for the company.

Other Institutional Activity in Essential Properties Realty Trust

Cohen & Steers Inc. grew its holdings by 9,220,046 shares, ending with 38,828,414 shares worth about $1,013,809,913. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. grew its holdings by 433,721 shares, ending with 5,430,505 shares worth about $141,790,488. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. reduced its holdings by 93,513 shares, ending with 5,189,719 shares worth about $135,503,566.

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. Stock Up 2.3%

Essential Properties Realty Trust shares closed at $25.76 on October 20, 2026, and recently traded at $25.46. The stock sits below its 50-day moving average of $28.01 and its 200-day moving average of $30.56. Shares trade above their 52-week low of $24.62 but remain well under the 52-week high of $34.73.

Recent Earnings

For the trailing twelve months, Essential Properties Realty Trust brought in $615,489,024 in revenue with earnings of $1.29 per share. The company reported a net profit margin of 43.5% and a return on equity of 6.5%. The next earnings report is expected on February 10, 2027.

Dividend

Essential Properties Realty Trust pays an annual dividend of $1.28 per share, giving the stock a dividend yield of 5.14%. The payout ratio stands at 96.1%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc.

Chief Investment Officer A Joseph Peil sold 19,657 shares on March 20, 2026, at an average price of $32.10 for a total of $630,990. Chief Financial Officer Robert Webb Salisbury sold 5,851 shares on the same day at $31.88 per share, totaling $186,530. Chief Operating Officer Robert M Jenkins later sold 22,000 shares on July 24, 2026, at $32.22 per share for a total value of $708,840.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

On September 24, 2026, Scotiabank maintained its Sector Outperform rating while lowering its price target from $33 to $30. Wells Fargo maintained an Overweight rating on October 19, 2026, while dropping its target from $36 to $30. Mizuho maintained an Outperform rating on October 19, 2026, lowering its target from $30 to $29. On October 20, 2026, alongside Deutsche Bank's downgrade, Barclays maintained an Overweight rating while cutting its target from $37 to $34. Across Wall Street, the stock currently holds a consensus recommendation key of strong_buy with a mean price target of $34.38 from 20 analyst opinions.

About Essential Properties Realty Trust

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. is a Princeton, New Jersey-based real estate investment trust that acquires and manages single-tenant properties net-leased to service-oriented and experience-based businesses. The company manages a portfolio of freestanding commercial properties featuring long-term leases.

Bottom Line

Deutsche Bank's move to a Hold rating reflects a more cautious posture on the stock as shares trade below key moving averages. Investors will look toward the company's next earnings report on February 10, 2027, for further updates on portfolio performance and lease coverage.