Macro Trends & M&A Activity Forecasts Lead to Overweight Stance on Essential Properties (EPRT)

Group 1: Company Overview - Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT) is a real estate investment trust that focuses on acquiring and owning single-tenant commercial properties, leasing them to mid-market tenants through sale-leaseback transactions [5] Group 2: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Richard Hightower from Barclays reaffirmed an Overweight rating for EPRT and raised the price target from $36 to $37, indicating a potential upside of 20% [1] - Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Jay Kornreich maintained a positive outlook for EPRT, assigning an Overweight rating and lowering the price target from $36 to $35, which still reflects a 13.5% upside from the current level [3] Group 3: Market Outlook - Barclays has a Neutral outlook for real estate investment trusts after adjusting their forecasts, but expresses optimism regarding rentals from apartment buildings, single-family units, and storage properties [2] - Kornreich noted that while REITs experienced lagging returns in 2025, a rebound is expected due to macroeconomic strength, demand-supply balance, and increased M&A activity [4]