Capital Research Global Investors Sells 210,488 Shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Capital Research Global Investors reduced its stake in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) by 8.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,244,997 shares of the company's stock after selling 210,488 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors owned 3.91% of The Ensign Group worth $298,270,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Synovus Financial Corp grew its stake in The Ensign Group by 90.2% in the 3rd quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 14,618 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,102,000 after buying an additional 6,931 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 26.1% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 379,608 shares of the company's stock worth $54,595,000 after acquiring an additional 78,570 shares during the period. Pacer Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of The Ensign Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,099,000. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH increased its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 10.0% during the fourth quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 130,047 shares of the company's stock worth $17,278,000 after purchasing an additional 11,830 shares during the period. Finally, Fox Run Management L.L.C. lifted its holdings in The Ensign Group by 339.6% during the 4th quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. now owns 10,305 shares of the company's stock worth $1,369,000 after purchasing an additional 7,961 shares during the last quarter. 96.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

The Ensign Group Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:ENSG traded up $0.47 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $125.34. The stock had a trading volume of 89,146 shares, compared to its average volume of 427,426. The company's 50-day moving average price is $128.49 and its 200-day moving average price is $137.08. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $113.27 and a fifty-two week high of $158.45. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The company has a market capitalization of $7.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.91.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last issued its 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 net margin of 6.99% and a return on equity of 17.07%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.0625 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.20%. The Ensign Group's payout ratio is presently 4.89%.

Insider Transactions at The Ensign Group

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have weighed in on ENSG. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Stephens reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $155.00 price objective on shares of The Ensign Group in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Macquarie boosted their price objective on shares of The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the company 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 assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $165.17.

The Ensign Group 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.