CareTrust REIT

CTRE

Market cap $8.78B

U.S. equity markets extended their rebound this week as investors welcomed tentative progress toward de-escalation in the Middle East following several days of dramatic threats of significant escalation. The fragile pause in hostilities temporarily eased fears of a prolonged disruption to global energy supplies and fueled a sharp retreat in oil prices after a surge to four-year highs. Markets also found support from lukewarm inflation data and signs that the U.S. labor market continues to demonstrate resilience despite elevated energy costs and geopolitical uncertainty.

DANA POINT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CareTrust REIT, Inc. (NYSE:CTRE) (“CareTrust” or the “Company”) announced today the closing of two investments totaling approximately $119 million, each effective April 1, 2026. The Company acquired a senior housing and skilled nursing campus located in Southern California, comprising 120 licensed skilled nursing beds and 273 senior housing units. The campus will be triple-net leased to an existing operator of the Company under a long-term lease with annual.

U.S. equity markets fell for a fifth-straight week— pulling several major benchmarks into correction territory— as the Iran conflict remained locked in a volatile stalemate, keeping energy markets on edge. The fourth week of the Iran conflict delivered little progress toward de-escalation, as Washington maintained strikes on Iranian nuclear sites while Tehran continued retaliatory attacks across the Persian Gulf. The S&P 500 declined 2.1% this week and now sits 8.7% below its late-January record. The Dow and Nasdaq both entered "correction" territory, while the VIX volatility index topped 30.

The technology sector (XLK) now trades near a 20x P/E, matching the S&P 500, while offering over 50% higher consensus long-term earnings growth. Recent market selloff, driven by geopolitical and macro concerns, presents a selective buying opportunity, especially in tech and certain high-yield names.

REITs were rolling out of the gates in early-2026, coming back into favor amid a HALO trade (Heavy Assets, Low Obsolescence) after a half-decade of rate headwinds and unfavorable narrative. The oil price surge tied to the Iran conflict has complicated the rotation by sending rates soaring, yet REITs have remained surprisingly resilient in recent weeks, maintaining sizable year-to-date outperformance. REIT-rate correlations have eased in recent quarters, signaling a more favorable "regime change" where performance is driven by property fundamentals rather than macro forces, following a prolonged period of rate-dominated.

Ventas highlights how aging demographics are boosting healthcare REIT demand, with senior housing occupancy growth and limited supply supporting long-term growth.

In this video, Motley Fool contributors Jason Hall and Tyler Crowe explain why two of their largest dividend stock investments, Caretrust REIT (CTRE 0.80%) and MPLX (MPLX +1.02%), are "own forever" holdings.

U.S. equities slid to four-month lows as the escalating Iran war rattled markets, sending oil to three-year highs and interest rates higher amid tanker attacks, shipping disruptions, and intensifying strikes. Brent Crude jumped above $100 as attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and tanker explosions threatened global oil flows, fueling inflation fears and keeping investors on edge. The White House deployed emergency supply measures—including Russian crude purchases and potential strategic reserve releases—but markets remain skeptical they can offset disruptions to global energy flows.

CareTrust REIT is downgraded from buy to hold as its valuation appears stretched despite continued operational outperformance. CTRE delivered double-digit FFO and revenue growth robust acquisition activity and maintains a strong balance sheet with low leverage and high liquidity. Management guides for 9.4% FFO and FAD growth in 2026, with further upside possible if M&A accelerates in a lower-rate environment.

DANA POINT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CareTrust REIT Raises Quarterly Dividend to $0.39 per Share.