Insider Selling: The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Chairman Sells 39,086 Shares of Stock

The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of The Ensign Group stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the chairman now owns 12,539 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,862,292.28. This represents a 75.71 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

The Ensign Group Stock Performance

The Ensign Group stock traded up $3.49 on Wednesday, reaching $148.86. 852,392 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 425,532. The stock has a market cap of $8.53 billion, a PE ratio of 36.04, a PEG ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.94. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $138.22 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $143.81. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $113.27 and a twelve month high of $158.45. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last announced its 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 5.84% and a return on equity of 17.21%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.02 EPS for the current year.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st were given a dividend of $0.0625 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.17%. This is a positive change from The Ensign Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. The Ensign Group's payout ratio is 6.05%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have issued reports on ENSG. Truist Financial reduced their target price on shares of 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. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of The Ensign Group from $167.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, October 28th. UBS Group started coverage on The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, November 21st. They set a "buy" rating and a $175.00 target price on the stock. Stephens upped their price target on The Ensign Group from $163.00 to $167.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Finally, Macquarie increased their price objective on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, The Ensign Group presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $167.17.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On The Ensign Group

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of ENSG. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in The Ensign Group by 190.1% during the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 206 shares of the company's stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in The Ensign Group by 150.6% in the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 208 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC raised its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 115.2% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 284 shares of the company's stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. Finally, USA Financial Formulas bought a new position in shares of The Ensign Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $54,000. 96.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.

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