KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Takes Position in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 11,600 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,542,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ENSG. Sei Investments Co. grew its stake in The Ensign Group by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 303,191 shares of the company's stock valued at $40,282,000 after purchasing an additional 6,897 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP raised its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 48.4% in the fourth quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 32,865 shares of the company's stock worth $4,366,000 after purchasing an additional 10,717 shares during the last quarter. Sciencast Management LP purchased a new stake in The Ensign Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $2,203,000. Blueshift Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $433,000. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS raised its position in The Ensign Group by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 12,567 shares of the company's stock worth $1,670,000 after buying an additional 447 shares during the last quarter. 96.12% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

The Ensign Group Price Performance

Shares of The Ensign Group stock traded up $1.80 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $132.25. The stock had a trading volume of 330,989 shares, compared to its average volume of 415,338. The stock's 50 day moving average is $131.89 and its 200 day moving average is $139.63. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $113.27 and a twelve month high of $158.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.60 billion, a PE ratio of 25.88, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.98.

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The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.47 by ($0.11). The Ensign Group had a return on equity of 17.07% and a net margin of 6.99%. Equities analysts expect that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st will be paid a $0.0625 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.19%. The Ensign Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 4.89%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $155.00 target price on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Macquarie lifted their price objective on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Truist Financial lowered their target price on The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $165.17.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of The Ensign Group stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.48, for a total value of $96,936.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 30,752 shares in the company, valued at $4,258,536.96. This trade represents a 2.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Daren Shaw sold 2,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total transaction of $259,320.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 26,325 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,413,299.50. This trade represents a 7.06 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 43,186 shares of company stock valued at $6,345,115. 3.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About The Ensign Group

The Ensign Group, Inc provides skilled nursing, senior living, and rehabilitative services. It operates through two segments: Skilled Services and Standard Bearer. The company's Skilled Services segment engages in the operation of skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation therapy services for patients with chronic conditions, prolonged illness, and the elderly; and offers nursing facilities including specialty care, such as on-site dialysis, ventilator care, cardiac, and pulmonary management, as well as standard services comprising room and board, special nutritional programs, social services, recreational activities, entertainment, and other services.