Bridgewater Associates LP Sells 2,671 Shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Bridgewater Associates LP cut its stake in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) by 30.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 5,996 shares of the company's stock after selling 2,671 shares during the period. Bridgewater Associates LP's holdings in The Ensign Group were worth $797,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in The Ensign Group by 190.1% in the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 206 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its position in The Ensign Group by 150.6% during the fourth quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 208 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in The Ensign Group by 38.8% during the fourth quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 354 shares of the company's stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Asset Planning Inc acquired a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter valued at $80,000. 96.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ENSG has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $155.00 price target on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Truist Financial lowered their target price on The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Macquarie increased their target price on shares of The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $165.17.

The Ensign Group Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ ENSG traded up $2.08 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $124.14. 391,810 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 427,888. The company has a market cap of $7.13 billion, a PE ratio of 24.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.91. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $113.27 and a twelve month high of $158.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.56. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $128.63 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $137.30.

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

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be given a $0.0625 dividend. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. The Ensign Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 4.89%.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Ensign Group

In other The Ensign Group news, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.52, for a total value of $5,805,052.72. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 12,539 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,862,292.28. The trade was a 75.71 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.48, for a total value of $96,936.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 30,752 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,258,536.96. This trade represents a 2.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 42,486 shares of company stock worth $6,251,714. 3.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

The Ensign Group Company Profile

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.