Principal Financial Group Inc. Sells 11,171 Shares of National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC)

Principal Financial Group Inc. trimmed its stake in National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC - Free Report) by 15.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 61,599 shares of the company's stock after selling 11,171 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned approximately 0.40% of National HealthCare worth $7,747,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Ritholtz Wealth Management boosted its stake in shares of National HealthCare by 121.1% during the 2nd quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 7,824 shares of the company's stock worth $848,000 after purchasing an additional 4,285 shares during the period. Versor Investments LP raised its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 61.3% in the second quarter. Versor Investments LP now owns 5,000 shares of the company's stock worth $542,000 after buying an additional 1,900 shares during the period. TD Asset Management Inc raised its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 51.7% in the second quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 13,500 shares of the company's stock worth $1,463,000 after buying an additional 4,600 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of National HealthCare by 123.0% during the 2nd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 87,350 shares of the company's stock worth $9,469,000 after acquiring an additional 48,182 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its holdings in National HealthCare by 27.5% during the 2nd quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 13,077 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,417,000 after acquiring an additional 2,819 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 56.44% of the company's stock.

National HealthCare Trading Up 0.1 %

NHC traded up $0.14 on Wednesday, reaching $107.56. 61,531 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 61,124. The company has a market cap of $1.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.48 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a quick ratio of 1.77, a current ratio of 1.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. National HealthCare Co. has a one year low of $87.03 and a one year high of $138.49. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $121.55 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $122.42.

National HealthCare Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 30th will be paid a $0.61 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 30th. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.27%. National HealthCare's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.58%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other National HealthCare news, insider Health Corp National sold 28,147 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.71, for a total transaction of $3,200,595.37. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 1,056,616 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $120,147,805.36. This trade represents a 2.59 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 13.75% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded National HealthCare from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, November 16th.

National HealthCare Profile

National HealthCare Corporation engages in the operation of services to skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, homecare and hospice agencies, and health hospitals. Its skilled nursing facilities offer licensed therapy services, nutrition services, social services, activities, and housekeeping and laundry services, as well as medical services prescribed by physicians; and rehabilitative services, such as physical, speech, respiratory, and occupational therapy for patients recovering from strokes, heart attacks, orthopedic conditions, neurological illnesses, or other illnesses, injuries, or disabilities.