James Investment Research Inc. Makes New Investment in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

James Investment Research Inc. bought a new stake in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 2,255 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $300,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Ensign Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 190.1% in the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 206 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 115.2% in the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 284 shares of the company's stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 152 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 16.2% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 508 shares of the company's stock valued at $73,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Asset Planning Inc acquired a new stake in The Ensign Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $80,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.12% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other The Ensign Group news, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.43, for a total transaction of $93,401.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 30,852 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,116,582.36. This trade represents a 2.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Daren Shaw sold 2,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total transaction of $259,320.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 26,325 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,413,299.50. The trade was a 7.06 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 42,486 shares of company stock valued at $6,254,710 in the last three months. Insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on ENSG. Truist Financial reduced their price target 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 reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $155.00 price target on shares of The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on The Ensign Group from $167.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Macquarie upped their target price on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Oppenheimer upped their target price on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $165.17.

The Ensign Group Price Performance

Shares of ENSG traded up $0.35 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $127.47. The stock had a trading volume of 406,554 shares, compared to its average volume of 447,535. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $113.27 and a 12 month high of $158.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.32 billion, a PE ratio of 24.95, a PEG ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.94. 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 company's 50-day moving average is $134.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $142.99.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.36 EPS 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%. Research analysts expect that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 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. This is a positive change from The Ensign Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. The Ensign Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 4.89%.

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.