Inceptionr LLC Buys 6,401 Shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Inceptionr LLC lifted its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) by 81.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 14,258 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 6,401 shares during the period. The Ensign Group accounts for 0.4% of Inceptionr LLC's holdings, making the stock its 29th biggest holding. Inceptionr LLC's holdings in The Ensign Group were worth $1,894,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. FMR LLC lifted its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 42.3% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,995,971 shares of the company's stock worth $287,061,000 after purchasing an additional 593,779 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in The Ensign Group by 5.1% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,363,822 shares of the company's stock valued at $196,181,000 after buying an additional 66,314 shares during the period. Crewe Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in The Ensign Group by 0.9% in the third quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 1,110,692 shares of the company's stock valued at $159,740,000 after buying an additional 10,221 shares during the period. Baillie Gifford & Co. acquired a new position in The Ensign Group in the third quarter valued at $151,827,000. Finally, Copeland Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in The Ensign Group by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Copeland Capital Management LLC now owns 944,077 shares of the company's stock valued at $125,430,000 after buying an additional 7,542 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.12% of the company's stock.

Remove Ads

The Ensign Group Stock Up 1.1 %

Shares of NASDAQ ENSG traded up $1.37 during trading on Friday, hitting $130.33. 314,590 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 447,761. The business's fifty day moving average is $133.63 and its 200 day moving average is $142.23. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $113.27 and a fifty-two week high of $158.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.98. 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 announced its quarterly earnings data 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%. Equities research analysts predict that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st were issued a $0.0625 dividend. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.19%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. This is a positive change from The Ensign Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. The Ensign Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 4.89%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently issued reports on ENSG. Truist Financial dropped their target price on shares of The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 6th. Macquarie boosted their target price 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. UBS Group began coverage on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, November 21st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $175.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $155.00 target price on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, February 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, The Ensign Group has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $165.17.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.15, for a total value of $90,405.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 30,052 shares in the company, valued at $3,881,215.80. This represents a 2.28 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.52, for a total transaction of $5,805,052.72. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 12,539 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,862,292.28. This trade represents a 75.71 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 43,186 shares of company stock worth $6,345,115 in the last quarter. Insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

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.