Robert M. Jenkins, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: EPRT), sold 22,000 shares of the real estate investment trust on July 24, 2026, according to a regulatory filing disclosed July 28, 2026. The transaction occurred at a weighted average price of $32.22 per share, with sales executed across multiple transactions at prices ranging from $32.21 to $32.23. Following the sale, Jenkins held 34,168 shares of EPRT directly.

Key Points

  • NYSE: EPRT
  • Executive VP and COO Robert M. Jenkins sold 22,000 common shares on July 24, 2026
  • Transaction price: weighted average of $32.22 per share, with individual sales ranging from $32.21 to $32.23
  • Jenkins retained direct beneficial ownership of 34,168 shares following the transaction

Executive Officer Stock Sale Details

Robert M. Jenkins, who holds the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Essential Properties Realty Trust, executed a sale of 22,000 shares of the company's common stock on July 24, 2026. The shares were sold across multiple transactions on the same date, with individual share prices varying slightly within a narrow range. The weighted average price across all transactions was $32.22 per share, representing the composite price at which the entire block was sold.

The filing indicates that Jenkins' shares were sold directly, meaning the securities were held in his own name rather than through another entity or arrangement. This direct ownership structure is common for executive officers subject to Securities Exchange Act Section 16 reporting requirements. The transaction was reported through the standard insider trading disclosure form filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Narrow Price Range and Transaction Execution

The shares sold by Jenkins were executed at prices ranging from $32.21 to $32.23 per share, according to the footnotes provided in the regulatory disclosure. This one-cent spread suggests the transactions occurred during a relatively stable trading period for the real estate investment trust, with minimal intraday volatility during the execution window. The weighted average calculation across these multiple transactions resulted in the $32.22 average price reported in the primary transaction table.

The use of a weighted average price in insider trading disclosures is standard practice when an officer or director sells a large block of shares across multiple transactions or execution batches. Jenkins undertook to provide full details regarding the specific number of shares sold at each price point within the disclosed range upon request to the company, security holders, or the SEC staff, as required by securities regulations.

Remaining Share Holdings Following Transaction

After completing the July 24, 2026 sale, Jenkins maintained direct beneficial ownership of 34,168 shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust common stock. This remaining position indicates that the executive retained a meaningful stake in the company even after the substantial stock disposition. The disclosure shows that Jenkins held these shares directly rather than indirectly through trusts, partnerships, or other entities.

The level of share retention by a senior executive can be significant to investors evaluating insider confidence in the company. The fact that Jenkins continued to hold more than 30,000 shares following the sale may suggest ongoing alignment with shareholder interests, though the sale itself could reflect various personal financial objectives such as portfolio rebalancing or liquidity needs.

Officer Status and Regulatory Obligations

Jenkins' position as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer places him within the category of officers subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These insiders are required to report purchases, sales, and other changes in beneficial ownership of company securities within two business days of the transaction. The filing was prepared and signed on Jenkins' behalf by Timothy J. Earnshaw, identified as attorney-in-fact, pursuant to a power of attorney that was previously filed on March 6, 2024.

Section 16 reporting obligations apply to officers, directors, and beneficial owners of more than 10% of a company's equity securities. These disclosures are made publicly available through the SEC's EDGAR database and provide transparency regarding insider trading activity. The requirement ensures that investors have access to information about securities transactions by company insiders who may possess material non-public information.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Business Overview

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. is a publicly traded real estate investment trust focused on acquiring and managing essential retail properties. As a REIT, the company's business model typically involves purchasing and leasing out commercial properties to retail tenants, with an emphasis on businesses considered essential to communities. REITs are required by law to distribute a significant portion of their taxable income to shareholders in the form of dividends.

The company's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol EPRT, making it accessible to institutional and retail investors. EPRT's business model and dividend-paying structure make insider trading activity by company executives of particular interest to income-focused investors and REIT specialists monitoring the sector.

Weighted Average Price Reporting Requirements

The SEC permits insiders to report sales of large share blocks using a weighted average price when multiple transactions occur at varying prices within a narrow range. This approach simplifies disclosure while maintaining transparency through the requirement to furnish detailed pricing information upon request. The $32.21 to $32.23 range for Jenkins' shares falls within the typical parameters for such averaged reporting.

Investors and analysts can request from Essential Properties Realty Trust the specific breakdown of shares sold at each individual price within the disclosed range. This granular information can help market participants understand the execution quality of large insider trades and assess whether the executive received fair market treatment during the sales process.

Timing of Executive Stock Sale Activity

The July 24, 2026 transaction date and July 28, 2026 filing date follow normal regulatory timelines, with the two-business-day reporting window providing a brief window during which the sale occurs but before public disclosure becomes mandatory. This timing framework was established to balance the need for insider transparency with the operational realities of securities transactions and regulatory filing processes.

The mid-July timing of Jenkins' stock sale does not appear to coincide with any announced corporate events, earnings releases, or material developments that would typically be flagged in investment research. Investors monitoring insider trading activity should evaluate such sales within the context of the company's disclosure calendar and any significant announcements made around the transaction date.

Direct Ownership and Beneficial Interest Disclosure

The filing specifies that both the shares sold and the shares retained following the transaction were held in direct form, meaning Jenkins possessed these securities without any intermediate ownership structure. Direct ownership stands in contrast to indirect ownership, which can occur when shares are held in trust, through family partnerships, or via other entities where the executive maintains beneficial interest but not formal title.

The clear designation of direct ownership in this filing provides transparency regarding the true economic interest Jenkins maintains in Essential Properties Realty Trust. For investors assessing insider sentiment and alignment, direct ownership holdings are often viewed as a more straightforward indicator of an executive's personal financial stake in company performance.

Regulatory Filing Compliance and Documentation

The documentation submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission includes a reference to a power of attorney previously filed on March 6, 2024, which authorized Timothy J. Earnshaw to sign documents and handle certain administrative matters on Jenkins' behalf. This power of attorney arrangement is common among executive officers and does not change the substance or regulatory significance of the insider transaction disclosure.

The filing adheres to standard SEC Form 4 requirements and includes appropriate certifications regarding the accuracy of the information provided. Federal securities laws impose strict penalties for intentional misstatements or omissions in insider trading reports, including criminal violations under 18 U.S.C. Section 1001 and civil sanctions under 15 U.S.C. Section 78ff(a).