Norges Bank Makes New $90.75 Million Investment in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 683,024 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $90,747,000. Norges Bank owned approximately 1.19% of The Ensign Group at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in The Ensign Group by 190.1% during the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 206 shares of the company's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in The Ensign Group by 150.6% in the fourth quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 208 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the period. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in The Ensign Group by 38.8% in the fourth quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 354 shares of the company's stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the period. Finally, Asset Planning Inc bought a new position in The Ensign Group during the 4th quarter valued at $80,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.12% of the company's stock.

The Ensign Group Trading Down 3.6 %

Shares of The Ensign Group stock traded down $4.70 on Monday, reaching $124.63. 794,825 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 421,855. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $113.27 and a fifty-two week high of $158.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $131.31 and a 200-day moving average price of $139.06.

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The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.47 by ($0.11). The Ensign Group had a return on equity of 17.07% and a net margin of 6.99%. On average, analysts expect that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current year.

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st will be given a $0.0625 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.20%. The Ensign Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.89%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently weighed in on ENSG shares. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $155.00 price objective on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Macquarie boosted their price target on shares of The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, The Ensign Group presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $165.17.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.52, for a total transaction of $5,805,052.72. Following the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 12,539 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,862,292.28. The trade was a 75.71 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.48, for a total value of $96,936.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 30,752 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,258,536.96. The trade was a 2.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 42,486 shares of company stock valued at $6,251,714. Company insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

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.