The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of The Ensign Group 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 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 ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website.
The Ensign Group Stock Performance
ENSG stock traded down $4.91 during trading on Friday, hitting $131.00. The company had a trading volume of 774,208 shares, compared to its average volume of 432,409. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $137.77 and a 200-day moving average price of $143.76. 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 firm has a market cap of $7.53 billion, a PE ratio of 25.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 0.94. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $113.27 and a 1-year 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 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%. On average, analysts expect that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current year.
The Ensign Group Increases Dividend
The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were issued a $0.0625 dividend. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. This is a positive change from The Ensign Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. The Ensign Group's payout ratio is currently 4.89%.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On The Ensign Group
A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Baillie Gifford & Co. acquired a new position in The Ensign Group during the third quarter worth $151,827,000. FMR LLC grew its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 42.3% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,995,971 shares of the company's stock worth $287,061,000 after purchasing an additional 593,779 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $36,167,000. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 54.6% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 649,764 shares of the company's stock valued at $93,449,000 after purchasing an additional 229,586 shares during the period. Finally, World Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in The Ensign Group during the third quarter worth about $21,744,000. 96.12% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of The Ensign Group from $167.00 to $172.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Stephens reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $155.00 price objective on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday. UBS Group started coverage on The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, November 21st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $175.00 target price for the company. Macquarie raised their price target on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Oppenheimer boosted their price objective on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $165.17.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on The Ensign Group
About The Ensign Group
(
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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.
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