StockNews.com Upgrades National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) to "Strong-Buy"

StockNews.com upgraded shares of National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC - Free Report) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report released on Saturday morning.

National HealthCare Trading Down 1.0 %

Shares of National HealthCare stock traded down $1.30 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $125.86. 64,006 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 62,602. The company has a market capitalization of $1.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.76 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. National HealthCare has a 52-week low of $73.96 and a 52-week high of $138.49. The company's fifty day moving average is $123.50.

National HealthCare Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 30th will be given a $0.61 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 30th. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.94%. National HealthCare's dividend payout ratio is presently 30.58%.

Insider Activity at National HealthCare

In other National HealthCare news, SVP Brian F. Kidd sold 2,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.01, for a total transaction of $260,020.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 21,747 shares in the company, valued at $2,827,327.47. This represents a 8.42 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 13.75% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of National HealthCare

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of National HealthCare by 196.2% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 231 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 153 shares in the last quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of National HealthCare in the first quarter worth about $58,000. Copeland Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in National HealthCare during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $62,000. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in National HealthCare during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $98,000. Finally, Reliant Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of National HealthCare in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $203,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 56.44% of the company's stock.

National HealthCare Company 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.