| Not surprisingly, EPR's funds from operations (FFO) were higher in 2022 than in 2021, when the company's performance was still stunted by COVID-19. FFO is the measure of cash flow that we use to analyze REITs' dividend safety. Full-year results for 2023 have not yet been released, but FFO likely climbed substantially. This year, however, cash flow is projected to dip, which is a red flag for Safety Net. EPR is projected to have paid out $248 million in dividends in 2023, which equals 64% of its FFO. This year, the total amount paid in dividends is expected to increase slightly to $250 million, which, combined with falling FFO, will result in a payout ratio of 68%. Both of those payout ratio figures are good. As long as a REIT's total dividend payout is less than 100% of its FFO, I'm happy. EPR has paid shareholders $0.275 per share nearly every month since March 2022. At the stock's current price, that comes out to an attractive 7.3% yield. But before I go on and reveal my grade, I'd like to hear your thoughts. How do you feel about EPR's dividend safety? Are you worried about the potential decline in cash flow this year? What do you think about the company's payout ratio? Click the button below to share your take - and then scroll up to finish reading and view my grade. |
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