The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Receives $165.17 Consensus Target Price from Brokerages

The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from the six research firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $165.17.

Several equities analysts recently commented on ENSG shares. Macquarie upped their price target on shares of The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on shares of The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Stephens reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $155.00 target price on shares of The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday, February 6th.

The Ensign Group Trading Down 0.4 %

NASDAQ ENSG traded down $0.51 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $127.93. 99,714 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 413,918. The Ensign Group has a 52 week low of $113.27 and a 52 week high of $158.45. 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 stock has a 50-day moving average price of $132.47 and a 200 day moving average price of $140.31. The stock has a market cap of $7.35 billion, a PE ratio of 25.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.98.

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

The Ensign Group Dividend Announcement

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of The Ensign Group stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 directly owns 12,539 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,862,292.28. This trade represents a 75.71 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of The Ensign Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.15, for a total transaction of $90,405.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 30,052 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,881,215.80. This trade represents a 2.28 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 43,186 shares of company stock valued at $6,345,115. Insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On The Ensign Group

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC purchased a new position in shares of The Ensign Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in 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 purchasing an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew 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 valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the period. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 38.8% during the fourth quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 354 shares of the company's stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Asset Planning Inc acquired a new position in shares of The Ensign Group during the 4th quarter worth about $80,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.12% of the company's stock.

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.