"Medical Properties Trust Stock Nears 14-Year Low as Tenant Defaults on $50M Rent"

Medical Properties Trust Inc.'s stock plummeted nearly 22% as the company faces a $50 million rent shortfall from tenant Steward Health Care System. The REIT is taking a substantial noncash charge in the fourth quarter and has received a downgrade from KeyBanc due to the financial uncertainty. MPT is actively seeking to recover the unpaid rent and has provided Steward with a new bridge loan while facing a stock value approaching a 14-year low.