Sanctuary Advisors LLC Sells 5,661 Shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Sanctuary Advisors LLC cut its stake in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) by 40.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 8,263 shares of the company's stock after selling 5,661 shares during the quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC's holdings in The Ensign Group were worth $1,180,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC purchased a new position in shares of The Ensign Group during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 190.1% during the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 206 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 115.2% during the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 284 shares of the company's stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. Asset Planning Inc purchased a new position in shares of The Ensign Group during the fourth quarter valued at $80,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 62.9% during the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 699 shares of the company's stock valued at $101,000 after buying an additional 270 shares in the last quarter. 96.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the transaction, the chairman now 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 position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the business'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 transaction, the director now directly owns 30,752 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,258,536.96. This represents a 2.23 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 42,486 shares of company stock valued at $6,254,710 over the last quarter. Insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

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The Ensign Group Stock Down 2.6 %

NASDAQ ENSG traded down $3.51 on Friday, reaching $129.15. The stock had a trading volume of 750,466 shares, compared to its average volume of 454,468. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $134.08 and a 200 day moving average price of $142.63. 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 Ensign Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $113.27 and a 1 year high of $158.45. The company has a market capitalization of $7.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.27, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.94.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates 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 forecast that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. 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 report on Monday, January 6th. Macquarie boosted their target price on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. UBS Group assumed coverage on The Ensign Group in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $175.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $155.00 target price on shares of The Ensign Group in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $165.17.

About The Ensign Group

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.