National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) Stock Rating Lowered by StockNews.com

National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC - Get Free Report) was downgraded by research analysts at StockNews.com from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report released on Monday.

National HealthCare Stock Performance

Shares of NHC traded down $1.10 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $92.83. 53,173 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 57,863. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $99.42 and its 200-day simple moving average is $115.60. National HealthCare has a 52-week low of $87.03 and a 52-week high of $138.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.43 billion, a PE ratio of 11.63 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.77.

Insider Activity at National HealthCare

In other news, VP Timothy J. Shelly sold 614 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $121.44, for a total transaction of $74,564.16. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Health Corp National sold 28,147 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.71, for a total value of $3,200,595.37. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,056,616 shares of the company's stock, valued at $120,147,805.36. This represents a 2.59 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 13.75% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NHC. Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of National HealthCare by 396.3% during the 4th quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 268 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 214 shares in the last quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in National HealthCare by 809.1% during the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 400 shares of the company's stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 356 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP boosted its position in National HealthCare by 378.0% during the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 564 shares of the company's stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 446 shares in the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new stake in National HealthCare in the fourth quarter valued at $83,000. Finally, State of Wyoming acquired a new stake in National HealthCare in the fourth quarter valued at $93,000. 56.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About National HealthCare

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.