Bridgewater Associates LP Decreases Stock Position in National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC)

Bridgewater Associates LP cut its position in National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC - Free Report) by 52.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,928 shares of the company's stock after selling 5,449 shares during the quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP's holdings in National HealthCare were worth $620,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in National HealthCare by 196.2% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 231 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 153 shares during the period. Copeland Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of National HealthCare during the third quarter worth $62,000. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in National HealthCare during the second quarter worth $98,000. Reliant Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in National HealthCare during the third quarter valued at $203,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in National HealthCare by 6,700.0% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,040 shares of the company's stock worth $221,000 after acquiring an additional 2,010 shares during the period. 56.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at National HealthCare

In other news, SVP Brian F. Kidd sold 2,000 shares of National HealthCare stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.01, for a total transaction of $260,020.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 21,747 shares in the company, valued at $2,827,327.47. The trade was a 8.42 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 13.75% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded National HealthCare from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, November 16th.

National HealthCare Trading Down 1.3 %

Shares of NHC stock traded down $1.69 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $125.67. 38,151 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 48,335. National HealthCare Co. has a fifty-two week low of $82.85 and a fifty-two week high of $138.49. The firm has a market cap of $1.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.69 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $123.75 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $120.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a current ratio of 1.80.

National HealthCare Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.61 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 30th. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.94%. National HealthCare's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.58%.

National HealthCare Profile

National HealthCare Corporation engages in the operation of services to skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, homecare and hospice agencies, and health hospitals. Its skilled nursing facilities offer licensed therapy services, nutrition services, social services, activities, and housekeeping and laundry services, as well as medical services prescribed by physicians; and rehabilitative services, such as physical, speech, respiratory, and occupational therapy for patients recovering from strokes, heart attacks, orthopedic conditions, neurological illnesses, or other illnesses, injuries, or disabilities.