The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Shares Purchased by MetLife Investment Management LLC

MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) by 23.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 39,419 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 7,400 shares during the quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC owned 0.07% of The Ensign Group worth $5,669,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Baillie Gifford & Co. bought a new stake in The Ensign Group during the 3rd quarter valued at about $151,827,000. FMR LLC raised its stake 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 valued at $287,061,000 after acquiring an additional 593,779 shares in the last quarter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP bought a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $18,843,000. F M Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $14,370,000. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. bought a new position in The Ensign Group in the third quarter worth approximately $9,565,000. 96.12% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

The Ensign Group Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of ENSG stock traded up $0.23 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $146.21. 176,521 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 428,620. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $104.18 and a 52-week high of $158.45. The stock has a market cap of $8.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.40, a P/E/G ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.56. The stock's fifty day moving average is $148.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $138.98.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The company reported $1.39 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.38 by $0.01. The Ensign Group had a net margin of 5.84% and a return on equity of 17.21%. The company had revenue of $1.08 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.07 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.10 earnings per share. The Ensign Group's revenue for the quarter was up 15.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.02 EPS for the current year.

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 30th were issued a dividend of $0.06 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 30th. This represents a $0.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.16%. The Ensign Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 5.81%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have weighed in on ENSG. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on The Ensign Group from $167.00 to $172.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Stephens lifted their price objective on The Ensign Group from $163.00 to $167.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, October 28th. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, November 21st. They set a "buy" rating and a $175.00 target price on the stock. Truist Financial raised their target price on shares of The Ensign Group from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Finally, Oppenheimer upped their price target on shares of The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, The Ensign Group has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $164.33.

Insider Activity at The Ensign Group

In related news, CEO Barry Port sold 2,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, October 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.00, for a total value of $310,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 53,716 shares in the company, valued at $8,325,980. This trade represents a 3.59 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 3.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.