National Health Investors, Inc. (NYSE:NHI) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

National Health Investors, Inc. (NYSE:NHI - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 2,220,000 shares, an increase of 53.1% from the November 15th total of 1,450,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 255,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 8.7 days. Currently, 5.1% of the shares of the company are sold short.

National Health Investors Stock Up 0.5 %

National Health Investors stock traded up $0.39 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $72.70. The stock had a trading volume of 299,585 shares, compared to its average volume of 199,209. National Health Investors has a one year low of $51.59 and a one year high of $86.13. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $77.01 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $75.37. The company has a market capitalization of $3.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.98, a PEG ratio of 4.87 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 10.29 and a quick ratio of 10.29.

National Health Investors (NYSE:NHI - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.07 by ($0.42). National Health Investors had a net margin of 38.53% and a return on equity of 10.11%. The business had revenue of $63.32 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $67.93 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.08 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that National Health Investors will post 4.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Health Investors Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 29th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be given a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.95%. National Health Investors's payout ratio is presently 123.71%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company cut National Health Investors from an "overweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and upped their price target for the company from $81.00 to $86.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of National Health Investors in a report on Tuesday, September 24th. They set a "buy" rating and a $92.00 target price on the stock. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of National Health Investors from $65.00 to $78.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, August 30th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of National Health Investors from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $76.33.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National Health Investors

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Assetmark Inc. raised its holdings in National Health Investors by 27.8% during the third quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 648 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $54,000 after acquiring an additional 141 shares during the period. Aviance Capital Partners LLC raised its stake in National Health Investors by 6.2% during the 3rd quarter. Aviance Capital Partners LLC now owns 3,788 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $318,000 after purchasing an additional 221 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System lifted its holdings in National Health Investors by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 12,152 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $823,000 after purchasing an additional 222 shares in the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC boosted its stake in National Health Investors by 3.9% in the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 6,762 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $568,000 after purchasing an additional 254 shares during the period. Finally, Quarry LP purchased a new stake in National Health Investors during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 62.51% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About National Health Investors

Incorporated in 1991, National Health Investors, Inc NYSE: NHI is a real estate investment trust specializing in sale, leasebacks, joint-ventures, senior housing operating partnerships, and mortgage and mezzanine financing of need-driven and discretionary senior housing and medical investments. NHI's portfolio consists of independent living, assisted living and memory care communities, entrance-fee retirement communities, skilled nursing facilities, and specialty hospitals.