Symbols / EPR Stock $55.28 -0.95% EPR Properties

Real Estate • REIT - Specialty • United States • NYQ
EPR (Stock) Chart
O: — H: — L: — C: — V: —
SMA 20: SMA 50: SMA 200:
Stock Fundamentals
Scroll to Statements
Index EQUITY
Sector Real Estate
Industry REIT - Specialty
CEO Mr. Gregory K. Silvers J.D.
Exch · Country NYQ · United States
Market Cap 4.23B
Enterprise Value 7.28B
Income 250.79M
Sales 713.96M
FCF (ttm) 332.53M
Book/sh 30.59
Cash/sh 1.19
Employees 54
Insider 10d
IPO Nov 18, 1997
Div forward ($/yr)
Div TTM ($/yr)
Dividend Yield
Ex-Div Date
5Y Avg Yield
Yield vs 5Y Avg
Payout 107.32%
P/E 16.85
Forward P/E 17.81
PEG
P/S 5.92
P/B 1.81
P/C
EV/EBITDA 13.24
EV/Sales 10.20
Quick Ratio 1.53
Current Ratio 1.62
Debt/Eq 134.21
LT Debt/Eq
EPS (ttm) 3.28
EPS next Y 3.10
EPS Growth
Revenue Growth 3.90%
EPS Gr Q/Q
Rev Gr Q/Q
Earnings (next) 2026-05-06
Earnings (prior) 2026-02-25
ROA 4.21%
ROE 11.79%
ROIC
Gross Margin 91.71%
Oper. Margin 52.91%
Profit Margin 38.51%
Shs Outstand 76.50M
Shs Float 74.67M
Insider Own 2.31%
Instit Own 82.99%
Short Float 10.44%
Short Ratio 5.76
Short Interest 5.73M
52W High 62.08
vs 52W High -10.95%
52W Low 48.11
vs 52W Low 14.90%
Beta 1.01
Impl. Vol. 42.09%
Rel Volume 0.73
Avg Volume 862.85K
Volume 625.69K
Target (mean) $59.06
Tgt Median $59.00
Tgt Low $54.00
Tgt High $65.50
# Analysts 9
Recom None
Prev Close $55.81
Price $55.28
Change -0.95%
About

EPR Properties is the leading diversified experiential net lease real estate investment trust, specializing in select enduring experiential properties in the real estate industry. We focus on real estate venues that create value by facilitating out of home leisure and recreation experiences where consumers choose to spend their discretionary time and money. We have total assets of approximately 5.5 billion US dollars (after accumulated depreciation of approximately 1.7 billion US dollars) across 43 states and Canada. We adhere to rigorous underwriting and investing criteria centered on key industry, property and tenant level cash flow standards. We believe our focused approach provides a competitive advantage and the potential for stable and attractive returns. EPR Properties was established on August 22, 1997 and incorporated in Maryland.

Valuation Models

Price estimates from analyst targets and simple models.

1. Analyst consensus Mean price target
2. Current target Latest analyst target
3. DCF / Fair value Simplified: (Free Cash Flow ÷ Shares) × 18 (P/FCF multiple). Not a …
Ratings
Current target
$55.28
Low
$54.00
High
$65.50
Mean
$59.06

Latest analyst rating changes

Date Action Analyst Rating Change Price Target
2026-03-17 down Raymond James Strong Buy → Outperform $60
2026-03-09 main UBS Neutral → Neutral $58
2026-03-06 main RBC Capital Sector Perform → Sector Perform $59
2026-03-06 main Truist Securities Hold → Hold $62
2026-01-30 reit RBC Capital Sector Perform → Sector Perform $58
2025-12-02 main JP Morgan Overweight → Overweight $58
2025-11-25 main Wells Fargo Equal-Weight → Equal-Weight $54
2025-11-18 main Truist Securities Hold → Hold $57
2025-09-12 main JP Morgan Overweight → Overweight $65
2025-09-11 up Wells Fargo Underweight → Equal-Weight $56
2025-08-27 main Wells Fargo Underweight → Underweight $54
2025-08-19 down Keybanc Overweight → Sector Weight
2025-08-15 main UBS Neutral → Neutral $54
2025-08-12 main Raymond James Strong Buy → Strong Buy $62
2025-08-04 down RBC Capital Outperform → Sector Perform $58
2025-07-31 main Stifel Buy → Buy $66
2025-07-16 main UBS Neutral → Neutral $62
2025-06-20 up Stifel Hold → Buy $65
2025-06-02 main Wells Fargo Underweight → Underweight $53
2025-05-23 main Raymond James Strong Buy → Strong Buy $57
Insider Transactions
Filed Date Insider Relationship Transaction Shares Price Value SEC
2026-04-15 MATER TONYA L Officer 4,600 $56.00 $258,900
2026-04-14 PETERSON MARK ALAN Chief Financial Officer 9,091 $55.00 $500,005
2026-03-16 MORIARTY BRIAN ANDREW Officer 5,000 $56.44 $282,200
2026-03-10 TRIMBERGER LISA G Director 9,633 $57.38 $555,735
2026-03-02 ZIMMERMAN GREGORY E Chief Technology Officer 20,066 $0.00 $0
2026-02-23 PETERSON MARK ALAN Chief Financial Officer 76,315 $0.00 $0
2026-02-23 PETERSON MARK ALAN Chief Financial Officer 25,096 $0.00 $0
2026-02-23 SILVERS GREGORY K Chief Executive Officer 209,082 $0.00 $0
2026-02-23 MATER TONYA L Officer 20,255 $0.00 $0
2026-02-23 FOX BENJAMIN N Officer 28,489 $0.00 $0
Financials
Statement View
Amounts in millions (2 decimals, no suffix) • EPS per share (2 decimals) • Trend = period evolution • YoY Growth = previous period %
Line Item Trend 2025-12-31 2024-12-31 2023-12-31 2022-12-31
Total Revenue
672.76
+4.96%
641.00
-2.84%
659.72
+8.04%
610.65
Operating Revenue
672.76
+4.96%
641.00
-2.84%
659.72
+8.04%
610.65
Cost Of Revenue
59.17
+0.04%
59.15
+2.90%
57.48
+2.67%
55.98
Reconciled Cost Of Revenue
59.50
+0.03%
59.48
+2.53%
58.01
+2.97%
56.34
Gross Profit
613.59
+5.46%
581.85
-3.39%
602.24
+8.58%
554.66
Operating Expense
233.63
+2.52%
227.88
+1.65%
224.18
+5.51%
212.47
Selling General And Administration
55.83
+11.45%
50.10
-11.24%
56.44
+9.43%
51.58
General And Administrative Expense
55.83
+11.45%
50.10
-11.24%
56.44
+9.43%
51.58
Other Gand A
55.83
+11.45%
50.10
-11.24%
56.44
+9.43%
51.58
Other Operating Expenses
0.16
+184.54%
-0.19
+83.46%
-1.17
+91.36%
-13.57
Total Expenses
292.80
+2.01%
287.03
+1.91%
281.66
+4.92%
268.46
Operating Income
379.96
+7.34%
353.97
-6.37%
378.06
+10.48%
342.19
Total Operating Income As Reported
414.30
+31.24%
315.67
+3.03%
306.40
-1.47%
310.96
EBITDA
572.22
+30.74%
437.69
-5.85%
464.88
-0.15%
465.58
Normalized EBITDA
537.88
+6.68%
504.20
-6.03%
536.55
+7.86%
497.46
Reconciled Depreciation
168.84
+2.08%
165.40
-1.25%
167.50
+2.57%
163.30
EBIT
403.06
+48.21%
271.96
-8.39%
296.85
-1.68%
301.93
Total Unusual Items
34.34
+151.63%
-66.51
+7.19%
-71.66
-124.81%
-31.88
Total Unusual Items Excluding Goodwill
34.34
+151.63%
-66.51
+7.19%
-71.66
-124.81%
-31.88
Special Income Charges
-5.19
+93.71%
-82.61
-18.93%
-69.47
-113.55%
-32.53
Impairment Of Capital Assets
0.00
-100.00%
51.76
-23.16%
67.37
+146.32%
27.35
Restructuring And Mergern Acquisition
5.19
+97.19%
2.63
+25.37%
2.10
-53.65%
4.53
Write Off
0.00
-100.00%
28.22
0.00
-100.00%
0.65
Net Income
274.94
+88.23%
146.07
-15.59%
173.05
-1.81%
176.23
Pretax Income
277.43
+88.09%
147.50
-15.61%
174.77
-1.52%
177.47
Net Non Operating Interest Income Expense
-133.08
-1.47%
-131.15
-5.04%
-124.86
+4.82%
-131.18
Interest Expense Non Operating
125.63
+0.94%
124.46
+1.95%
122.08
-1.92%
124.47
Net Interest Income
-133.08
-1.47%
-131.15
-5.04%
-124.86
+4.82%
-131.18
Interest Expense
125.63
+0.94%
124.46
+1.95%
122.08
-1.92%
124.47
Interest Income Non Operating
1.36
-45.48%
2.49
-57.47%
5.86
+254.75%
1.65
Interest Income
1.36
-45.48%
2.49
-57.47%
5.86
+254.75%
1.65
Other Income Expense
30.55
+140.56%
-75.32
+3.96%
-78.43
-133.78%
-33.55
Other Non Operating Income Expenses
Gain On Sale Of Security
39.53
+145.53%
16.10
+832.86%
-2.20
-437.48%
0.65
Tax Provision
2.50
+74.18%
1.43
-17.02%
1.73
+39.72%
1.24
Tax Rate For Calcs
0.00
+2.93%
0.00
-1.68%
0.00
+23.51%
0.00
Tax Effect Of Unusual Items
0.34
+153.14%
-0.65
+8.75%
-0.71
-177.68%
-0.26
Net Income Including Noncontrolling Interests
274.94
+88.23%
146.07
-15.59%
173.05
-1.81%
176.23
Net Income From Continuing Operation Net Minority Interest
274.94
+88.23%
146.07
-15.59%
173.05
-1.81%
176.23
Net Income From Continuing And Discontinued Operation
274.94
+88.23%
146.07
-15.59%
173.05
-1.81%
176.23
Net Income Continuous Operations
274.94
+88.23%
146.07
-15.59%
173.05
-1.81%
176.23
Net Income Discontinuous Operations
Normalized Income
240.94
+13.69%
211.93
-13.14%
244.00
+17.39%
207.85
Net Income Common Stockholders
250.79
+105.70%
121.92
-18.12%
148.90
-2.10%
152.09
Diluted EPS
3.28
+105.00%
1.60
-18.78%
1.97
-2.96%
2.03
Basic EPS
3.30
+104.97%
1.61
-18.69%
1.98
-2.46%
2.03
Basic Average Shares
76.04
+0.53%
75.64
+0.50%
75.26
+0.39%
74.97
Diluted Average Shares
76.50
+0.65%
76.00
+0.38%
75.72
+0.90%
75.04
Diluted NI Availto Com Stockholders
250.79
+105.70%
121.92
-18.12%
148.90
-2.10%
152.09
Depreciation Amortization Depletion Income Statement
169.16
+2.07%
165.73
-1.37%
168.03
+2.68%
163.65
Depreciation And Amortization In Income Statement
169.16
+2.07%
165.73
-1.37%
168.03
+2.68%
163.65
Earnings From Equity Interest
-3.79
+56.98%
-8.81
-30.16%
-6.77
-304.78%
-1.67
Gain On Sale Of PPE
-2.20
-437.48%
0.65
Preferred Stock Dividends
24.14
+0.00%
24.14
0.00%
24.14
+0.02%
24.14
Provision For Doubtful Accounts
8.48
-30.78%
12.25
+1294.87%
0.88
-91.88%
10.82
Total Other Finance Cost
8.81
-4.06%
9.18
+6.30%
8.64
+3.31%
8.36
Line Item Trend 2025-12-31 2024-12-31 2023-12-31 2022-12-31
Total Assets
5,699.76
+1.48%
5,616.51
-1.48%
5,700.89
-1.00%
5,758.70
Current Assets
915.70
+10.47%
828.89
+11.86%
741.00
+12.65%
657.80
Cash Cash Equivalents And Short Term Investments
90.58
+310.56%
22.06
-71.74%
78.08
-27.66%
107.93
Cash And Cash Equivalents
90.58
+310.56%
22.06
-71.74%
78.08
-27.66%
107.93
Receivables
779.82
+3.46%
753.73
+18.27%
637.30
+24.05%
513.73
Accounts Receivable
97.86
+15.68%
84.59
+32.89%
63.66
+18.79%
53.59
Other Receivables
Prepaid Assets
33.56
Restricted Cash
8.07
-40.82%
13.64
+369.92%
2.90
+12.61%
2.58
Other Current Assets
37.24
-5.64%
39.46
+73.71%
22.72
-32.30%
33.56
Total Non Current Assets
4,784.06
-0.07%
4,787.61
-3.47%
4,959.88
-2.76%
5,100.90
Net PPE
170.75
-1.50%
173.36
-7.11%
186.63
-7.14%
200.99
Gross PPE
170.75
-1.50%
173.36
-7.11%
186.63
-7.14%
200.99
Other Properties
170.75
-1.50%
173.36
-7.11%
186.63
-7.14%
200.99
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets
31.66
-2.42%
32.44
-6.54%
34.71
-5.22%
36.62
Other Intangible Assets
36.62
Investments And Advances
12.32
-12.15%
14.02
-71.82%
49.75
-6.06%
52.96
Long Term Equity Investment
12.32
-12.15%
14.02
-71.82%
49.75
-6.06%
52.96
Total Liabilities Net Minority Interest
3,370.59
+2.35%
3,293.26
+1.43%
3,246.73
+0.74%
3,222.98
Current Liabilities
236.43
+7.27%
220.40
+8.21%
203.67
+18.79%
171.46
Payables And Accrued Expenses
127.89
-8.55%
139.84
+10.78%
126.23
+17.40%
107.53
Payables
127.89
-8.55%
139.84
+10.78%
126.23
+17.40%
107.53
Accounts Payable
99.39
-7.95%
107.98
+13.75%
94.93
+18.53%
80.09
Dividends Payable
28.50
-10.57%
31.86
+1.78%
31.31
+14.10%
27.44
Current Deferred Liabilities
108.55
+34.73%
80.56
+4.04%
77.44
+21.12%
63.94
Current Deferred Revenue
108.55
+34.73%
80.56
+4.04%
77.44
+21.12%
63.94
Total Non Current Liabilities Net Minority Interest
3,134.16
+1.99%
3,072.86
+0.98%
3,043.06
-0.28%
3,051.52
Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligation
3,134.16
+1.99%
3,072.86
+0.98%
3,043.06
-0.28%
3,051.52
Long Term Debt
2,929.41
+2.41%
2,860.46
+1.58%
2,816.09
+0.21%
2,810.11
Long Term Capital Lease Obligation
204.75
-3.60%
212.40
-6.42%
226.96
-5.98%
241.41
Stockholders Equity
2,329.17
+0.26%
2,323.24
-5.33%
2,454.16
-3.22%
2,535.72
Common Stock Equity
2,329.02
+0.26%
2,323.10
-5.33%
2,454.01
-3.22%
2,535.57
Capital Stock
0.99
+0.61%
0.98
+0.72%
0.98
+0.41%
0.97
Common Stock
0.84
+0.72%
0.84
+0.84%
0.83
+0.48%
0.82
Preferred Stock
0.15
+0.00%
0.15
+0.00%
0.15
+0.00%
0.15
Share Issued
84.24
+0.74%
83.62
+0.79%
82.96
+0.51%
82.55
Ordinary Shares Number
76.14
+0.54%
75.74
+0.54%
75.33
+0.41%
75.03
Treasury Shares Number
8.09
+2.68%
7.88
+3.30%
7.63
+1.48%
7.52
Additional Paid In Capital
3,978.09
+0.70%
3,950.53
+0.66%
3,924.47
+0.63%
3,899.73
Retained Earnings
-1,355.66
-1.24%
-1,339.10
-11.54%
-1,200.55
-9.43%
-1,097.13
Gains Losses Not Affecting Retained Earnings
1.04
+127.61%
-3.76
-213.96%
3.30
+73.75%
1.90
Treasury Stock
295.29
+3.46%
285.41
+4.15%
274.04
+1.59%
269.75
Other Equity Adjustments
1.04
+127.61%
-3.76
-213.96%
3.30
+73.75%
1.90
Total Equity Gross Minority Interest
2,329.17
+0.26%
2,323.24
-5.33%
2,454.16
-3.22%
2,535.72
Total Capitalization
5,258.58
+1.44%
5,183.70
-1.64%
5,270.25
-1.41%
5,345.83
Working Capital
679.27
+11.63%
608.49
+13.24%
537.33
+10.49%
486.33
Invested Capital
5,258.43
+1.44%
5,183.56
-1.64%
5,270.10
-1.41%
5,345.68
Total Debt
3,134.16
+1.99%
3,072.86
+0.98%
3,043.06
-0.28%
3,051.52
Net Debt
2,838.83
+0.02%
2,838.40
+3.67%
2,738.02
+1.33%
2,702.18
Capital Lease Obligations
204.75
-3.60%
212.40
-6.42%
226.96
-5.98%
241.41
Net Tangible Assets
2,297.52
+0.29%
2,290.80
-5.32%
2,419.45
-3.19%
2,499.10
Tangible Book Value
2,297.37
+0.29%
2,290.66
-5.32%
2,419.30
-3.19%
2,498.95
Investment Properties
4,569.33
+0.03%
4,567.79
-2.58%
4,688.79
-2.53%
4,810.33
Investmentsin Joint Venturesat Cost
12.32
-12.15%
14.02
-71.82%
49.75
-6.06%
52.96
Notes Receivable
681.96
+1.92%
669.14
+16.65%
573.65
+24.67%
460.14
Preferred Shares Number
14.84
0.00%
14.84
0.00%
14.84
-0.01%
14.84
Preferred Stock Equity
0.15
+0.00%
0.15
+0.00%
0.15
+0.00%
0.15
Line Item Trend 2025-12-31 2024-12-31 2023-12-31 2022-12-31
Operating Cash Flow
420.95
+7.08%
393.14
-12.07%
447.09
+1.22%
441.72
Cash Flow From Continuing Operating Activities
420.95
+7.08%
393.14
-12.07%
447.09
+1.22%
441.72
Net Income From Continuing Operations
274.94
+88.23%
146.07
-15.59%
173.05
-1.81%
176.23
Depreciation Amortization Depletion
168.84
+2.08%
165.40
-1.25%
167.50
+2.57%
163.30
Depreciation
169.16
+2.07%
165.73
-1.37%
168.03
+2.68%
163.65
Amortization Cash Flow
-0.32
+2.70%
-0.33
+37.76%
-0.54
-50.70%
-0.35
Depreciation And Amortization
168.84
+2.08%
165.40
-1.25%
167.50
+2.57%
163.30
Amortization Of Intangibles
-0.32
+2.70%
-0.33
+37.76%
-0.54
-50.70%
-0.35
Other Non Cash Items
8.81
-4.06%
9.18
+6.30%
8.64
+10.62%
7.81
Stock Based Compensation
17.50
+11.75%
15.66
-12.08%
17.82
+6.90%
16.67
Provisionand Write Offof Assets
8.48
-30.78%
12.25
+1294.87%
0.88
-91.88%
10.82
Asset Impairment Charge
0.00
-100.00%
79.98
+18.73%
67.37
+140.63%
28.00
Deferred Tax
-0.85
+45.03%
-1.54
-347.38%
-0.34
-103.55%
-0.17
Deferred Income Tax
-0.85
+45.03%
-1.54
-347.38%
-0.34
-103.55%
-0.17
Operating Gains Losses
-35.74
-390.17%
-7.29
-181.34%
8.96
+778.06%
1.02
Gain Loss On Investment Securities
-39.53
-145.53%
-16.10
-832.86%
2.20
+437.48%
-0.65
Change In Working Capital
-21.03
+20.85%
-26.57
-1475.31%
1.93
-94.82%
37.27
Change In Receivables
-15.38
+36.47%
-24.20
-113.76%
-11.32
-144.45%
25.47
Changes In Account Receivables
-14.58
+33.83%
-22.03
-118.32%
-10.09
-138.85%
25.97
Change In Payables And Accrued Expense
-5.61
-146.97%
11.95
+40.79%
8.49
-41.77%
14.58
Change In Other Working Capital
2.28
+135.70%
-6.38
-185.07%
7.50
+425.55%
-2.31
Change In Other Current Assets
-2.32
+70.75%
-7.93
-189.81%
-2.74
-478.86%
-0.47
Investing Cash Flow
-121.68
+31.00%
-176.35
+12.28%
-201.05
+42.82%
-351.58
Cash Flow From Continuing Investing Activities
-121.68
+31.00%
-176.35
+12.28%
-201.05
+42.82%
-351.58
Net Investment Purchase And Sale
0.00
-100.00%
10.40
+3.80%
10.02
+361.67%
-3.83
Purchase Of Investment
-3.83
Sale Of Investment
0.00
-100.00%
10.40
+3.80%
10.02
Net Business Purchase And Sale
-2.10
-62.56%
-1.29
+73.45%
-4.86
+81.37%
-26.09
Purchase Of Business
-2.10
-62.56%
-1.29
+73.45%
-4.86
+81.37%
-26.09
Net Other Investing Changes
-20.07
+82.07%
-111.92
-0.36%
-111.52
-25.18%
-89.08
Financing Cash Flow
-236.73
+9.51%
-261.62
+5.11%
-275.69
-2.34%
-269.39
Cash Flow From Continuing Financing Activities
-236.73
+9.51%
-261.62
+5.11%
-275.69
-2.34%
-269.39
Net Issuance Payments Of Debt
75.00
+95.51%
38.36
0.00
0.00
Issuance Of Debt
1,072.00
+339.34%
244.00
0.00
0.00
Repayment Of Debt
-997.00
-384.83%
-205.64
0.00
0.00
Long Term Debt Issuance
1,072.00
+339.34%
244.00
0.00
0.00
Long Term Debt Payments
-997.00
-384.83%
-205.64
0.00
0.00
Net Long Term Debt Issuance
75.00
+95.51%
38.36
0.00
0.00
Net Common Stock Issuance
-8.91
+15.65%
-10.56
-242.71%
-3.08
+11.95%
-3.50
Common Stock Payments
-9.86
+13.36%
-11.38
-207.77%
-3.70
+13.18%
-4.26
Cash Dividends Paid
-290.72
-3.87%
-279.89
-2.81%
-272.25
-2.48%
-265.66
Repurchase Of Capital Stock
-9.86
+13.36%
-11.38
-207.77%
-3.70
+13.18%
-4.26
Proceeds From Stock Option Exercised
-0.00
0.00
0.00
+100.00%
-0.01
Net Other Financing Charges
-12.10
-26.90%
-9.53
-2483.74%
-0.37
-12.50%
-0.33
Changes In Cash
62.55
+239.51%
-44.83
-51.22%
-29.65
+83.46%
-179.26
Effect Of Exchange Rate Changes
0.40
+189.96%
-0.45
-476.47%
0.12
+192.25%
-0.13
Beginning Cash Position
35.70
-55.92%
80.98
-26.72%
110.51
-61.88%
289.90
End Cash Position
98.65
+176.33%
35.70
-55.92%
80.98
-26.72%
110.51
Free Cash Flow
420.95
+7.08%
393.14
-12.07%
447.09
+1.22%
441.72
Interest Paid Supplemental Data
130.91
+1.13%
129.46
+3.03%
125.65
-0.12%
125.81
Income Tax Paid Supplemental Data
2.88
+8.73%
2.65
+76.99%
1.50
+16.61%
1.28
Common Stock Issuance
0.95
+16.30%
0.82
+32.68%
0.61
-18.87%
0.76
Dividend Received CFO
0.01
0.00
-100.00%
1.30
+66.67%
0.78
Dividends Received CFI
0.00
0.00
-100.00%
6.70
Earnings Losses From Equity Investments
3.79
-56.98%
8.81
+30.16%
6.77
+304.78%
1.67
Issuance Of Capital Stock
0.95
+16.30%
0.82
+32.68%
0.61
-28.90%
0.86
Net Investment Properties Purchase And Sale
-99.52
-35.31%
-73.55
+22.33%
-94.70
+60.42%
-239.28
Net Preferred Stock Issuance
0.00
0.00
-100.00%
0.11
Preferred Stock Issuance
0.00
0.00
-100.00%
0.11
Purchase Of Investment Properties
-240.79
-62.73%
-147.97
+2.56%
-151.86
+39.32%
-250.24
Sale Of Investment Properties
141.28
+89.83%
74.42
+30.20%
57.16
+421.30%
10.96
SEC Filings

Recent 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, and Form 4 (insider) filings.

Trades
Date User Broker Pattern Type Position Size Entry Price Trade P&L Status
Posts
Published Title Author Category