Principal Financial Group Inc. Decreases Position in National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC)

Principal Financial Group Inc. reduced its position in National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC - Free Report) by 15.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 61,599 shares of the company's stock after selling 11,171 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned about 0.40% of National HealthCare worth $7,747,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. raised its position in National HealthCare by 223.8% during the third quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 20,899 shares of the company's stock worth $2,628,000 after acquiring an additional 14,445 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 5.3% during the third quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,091 shares of the company's stock worth $517,000 after buying an additional 206 shares in the last quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale grew its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 1,277.1% during the third quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 10,411 shares of the company's stock worth $1,255,000 after buying an additional 9,655 shares in the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of National HealthCare during the third quarter worth $223,000. Finally, Copeland Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of National HealthCare during the third quarter worth $62,000. 56.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of National HealthCare from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Saturday.

National HealthCare Trading Down 0.9 %

Shares of NHC traded down $1.08 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $123.50. The stock had a trading volume of 10,500 shares, compared to its average volume of 62,181. 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 Co. has a 52-week low of $75.53 and a 52-week high of $138.49. The business's fifty day moving average is $123.57 and its 200 day moving average is $118.60. The firm has a market cap of $1.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.61 and a beta of 0.41.

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 issued a $0.61 dividend. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 30th. National HealthCare's dividend payout ratio is currently 30.58%.

Insider Activity at National HealthCare

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

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.