Raymond James Upgrades CareTrust REIT to Buy

Raymond James has reinstated its rating on CareTrust REIT, Inc. (NYSE:CTRE) to buy, setting a price target of $43. This change, announced on June 17, 2026, comes as the stock trades around $37.03.

Other Institutional Activity in CareTrust REIT

In recent months, several major funds have adjusted their positions in CareTrust REIT. BlackRock, Inc. reduced its holdings by 5,872,569 shares, leaving it with 35,876,497 shares valued at approximately $1.31 billion. Vanguard Portfolio Management LLC initiated a new position with 19,901,022 shares worth about $729.4 million. State Street Corp trimmed its stake by 390,942 shares, holding 12,035,271 shares valued at $445.7 million. Cohen & Steers, Inc. also cut its holdings by 4,493,546 shares, ending with 11,983,376 shares worth $439.2 million.

CareTrust REIT, Inc. Stock Up 1.9%

Shares of NYSE:CTRE were trading at $37.03. CareTrust REIT has a market cap of roughly $8.75 billion and a P/E ratio of 23.44. The stock's 52-week range is $29.09 to $43.08, with a 50-day moving average of $39.43 and a 200-day moving average of $37.38. The company's beta is 0.786, indicating lower volatility relative to the market.

Recent Earnings

CareTrust REIT reported revenue of $522.6 million, with a modest growth of 3.2%. The company achieved a net margin of 64.1% and a return on equity of 9.42%. The next earnings report is scheduled for August 10, 2026.

Dividend

CareTrust REIT offers an annual dividend of $1.56, yielding 4.21%. The dividend payout ratio stands at 88.29%, reflecting the company's commitment to returning capital to shareholders.

Insider Buying and Selling at CareTrust REIT, Inc.

On January 31, 2026, several insiders made notable trades. James Callister, Chief Investment Officer and Secretary, bought 58,379 shares and sold 46,267 shares. Meanwhile, CEO David Sedgwick acquired 99,240 shares, and Chief Accounting Officer Lauren Beale sold 12,208 shares at $37.34 per share.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

On June 17, 2026, Raymond James reinstated CareTrust REIT with a buy rating and a $43 price target. Earlier, BMO Capital and Wells Fargo maintained their buy ratings with $47 targets. Mizuho initiated coverage with a buy rating and a $42 target on April 2, 2026. The consensus among 12 analysts is a strong buy, with a mean target price of $45.50.

About CareTrust REIT, Inc.

CareTrust REIT, Inc. is a real estate investment trust headquartered in Dana Point, California. The company focuses on owning, acquiring, and leasing healthcare-related properties such as skilled nursing facilities and senior housing. As of December 2025, CareTrust REIT owned 407 facilities across 32 states and the UK. It also holds various real estate investments, including preferred equity and mezzanine loans.

Bottom Line

Raymond James' upgrade to a buy rating reflects optimism for CareTrust REIT's future prospects. Investors often watch these analyst moves closely as potential indicators of a company's future performance. However, it's important to remember that analyst ratings are based on past data and may not reflect current market conditions.