Raymond James Financial Inc. Acquires Shares of 272,220 The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 272,220 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $36,167,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. owned about 0.47% of The Ensign Group at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in ENSG. Renaissance Group LLC increased its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 10.9% during the 4th quarter. Renaissance Group LLC now owns 28,457 shares of the company's stock worth $3,781,000 after purchasing an additional 2,804 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. increased its position in The Ensign Group by 45.0% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 301,829 shares of the company's stock worth $40,101,000 after buying an additional 93,633 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can increased its position in The Ensign Group by 2.2% during the fourth quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 32,883 shares of the company's stock worth $4,369,000 after buying an additional 711 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC raised its holdings in The Ensign Group by 4.3% during the fourth quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,082,647 shares of the company's stock valued at $276,701,000 after buying an additional 86,676 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 336,831 shares of the company's stock worth $44,751,000 after buying an additional 1,939 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 96.12% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at The Ensign Group

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

The Ensign Group Stock Performance

Shares of ENSG stock traded up $2.13 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $122.06. 346,149 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 428,033. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $128.63 and a 200-day moving average price of $137.30. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.89, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $113.27 and a fifty-two week high of $158.45.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.36 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.47 by ($0.11). The Ensign Group had a net margin of 6.99% and a return on equity of 17.07%. Analysts predict that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

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.