Proficio Capital Partners LLC Acquires Shares of 29,894 The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 29,894 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,972,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC owned 0.05% of The Ensign Group at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 190.1% in the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 206 shares of the company's stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of 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 buying an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Asset Planning Inc purchased a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group in the fourth quarter worth $80,000. Finally, South Dakota Investment Council purchased a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group in the fourth quarter worth $104,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.12% of the company's stock.

The Ensign Group Trading Up 1.1 %

Shares of NASDAQ:ENSG traded up $1.37 on Friday, reaching $130.33. 314,590 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 447,761. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $133.70 and its 200 day simple moving average is $142.32. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $113.27 and a 52 week high of $158.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08.

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

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were paid a dividend of $0.0625 per share. This is a boost from The Ensign Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.19%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. The Ensign Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 4.89%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on ENSG. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $155.00 price target on shares of The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Macquarie raised their price target on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. UBS Group began coverage on The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. They set a "buy" rating and a $175.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Truist Financial lowered their price target on The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $165.17.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Daren Shaw sold 2,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total value of $259,320.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 26,325 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,413,299.50. This trade represents a 7.06 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.52, for a total value of $5,805,052.72. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now directly owns 12,539 shares in the company, valued at $1,862,292.28. The trade was a 75.71 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 43,186 shares of company stock valued at $6,345,115. 3.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

The Ensign Group 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.