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

Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT) is 1 of the most favored existent property concern trusts according to Hedge Funds.

On January 13, Richard Hightower from Barclays reaffirmed his Overweight standing for Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT). The expert besides raised his terms people from $36 to $37, which present results successful an upside of 20%.

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Hightower’s upward revision of terms people is portion of Barclays’ 2026 outlook for existent property concern trusts. The steadfast has a Neutral outlook for REITs aft making adjustments to their forecasts. However, determination is immoderate optimism surrounding rentals from flat buildings, single-family units, and retention properties.

On January 5, Cantor Fitzgerald expert Jay Kornreich maintained his affirmative Outlook for Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT). He assigned an Overweight standing to the banal and lowered his terms people from $36 to $35, which inactive yields an upside of 13.5% from the existent level.

Kornreich highlighted lagging returns from REITs during 2025, which volition rebound successful the coming year. Several catalysts volition enactment the rally, specified arsenic macroeconomic strength, demand-supply balance, and acceleration successful M&A activity.

Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT) is progressive successful the acquisition and ownership of single-tenant commercialized properties, which it leases to mid-market tenants done sale-leaseback transactions. These tenants see nonrecreational work and retail businesses specified arsenic convenience & market stores, restaurants, aesculapian & dental clinics, car washes, and more.

While we admit the imaginable of EPRT arsenic an investment, we judge definite AI stocks connection greater upside imaginable and transportation little downside risk. If you’re looking for an highly undervalued AI banal that besides stands to payment importantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, spot our escaped study connected the best short-term AI stock.

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Disclosure: None. This nonfiction is primitively published astatine Insider Monkey.