Headlands Technologies LLC Lowers Position in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Headlands Technologies LLC cut its stake in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) by 64.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,974 shares of the company's stock after selling 3,524 shares during the period. Headlands Technologies LLC's holdings in The Ensign Group were worth $262,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in ENSG. Cerity Partners LLC boosted its holdings in The Ensign Group by 164.9% in the 3rd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 4,442 shares of the company's stock valued at $639,000 after purchasing an additional 2,765 shares during the period. Walleye Capital LLC acquired a new stake in The Ensign Group during the third quarter worth approximately $586,000. Paloma Partners Management Co acquired a new position in The Ensign Group in the 3rd quarter valued at $222,000. Benjamin Edwards Inc. lifted its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 275.1% during the 3rd quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 2,532 shares of the company's stock valued at $364,000 after acquiring an additional 1,857 shares during the period. Finally, Centiva Capital LP acquired a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group during the 3rd quarter worth $244,000. Institutional investors own 96.12% of the company's stock.

The Ensign Group Trading Down 2.7 %

Shares of NASDAQ:ENSG traded down $3.53 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $125.76. 59,218 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 424,090. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.61, a PEG 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 business's fifty day moving average price is $130.16 and its 200-day moving average price is $138.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 1.56.

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

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

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

Insider Activity at The Ensign Group

In related news, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of the business'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 completion of the sale, the chairman now directly owns 12,539 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,862,292.28. The trade was a 75.71 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.48, for a total value of $96,936.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 30,752 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,258,536.96. The trade was a 2.23 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 42,486 shares of company stock worth $6,251,714 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

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.