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

Shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) have received an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the six analysts that are covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $165.17.

Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Macquarie increased their price target on shares of The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Truist Financial dropped their target price on shares of 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. Finally, Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $155.00 price target on shares of The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday, February 6th.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 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 ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.43, for a total value of $93,401.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 30,852 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,116,582.36. This trade represents a 2.22 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 43,186 shares of company stock valued at $6,345,115. Insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ENSG. Fairtree Asset Management Pty Ltd purchased a new stake in The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $370,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 4.2% in the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 4,963 shares of the company's stock valued at $659,000 after buying an additional 199 shares during the period. Forum Financial Management LP boosted its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 5.8% in the fourth quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 1,524 shares of the company's stock valued at $202,000 after buying an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its holdings in The Ensign Group by 7.4% during the fourth quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 52,833 shares of the company's stock worth $7,019,000 after acquiring an additional 3,659 shares during the period. Finally, GTS Securities LLC purchased a new position in The Ensign Group in the fourth quarter worth $239,000. 96.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

The Ensign Group Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of ENSG traded up $0.30 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $128.74. The stock had a trading volume of 305,417 shares, compared to its average volume of 414,691. The company has a market cap of $7.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.19, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.98. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $132.31 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $140.07. The Ensign Group has a 1-year low of $113.27 and a 1-year high of $158.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.56.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last posted 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 net margin of 6.99% and a return on equity of 17.07%. Equities research analysts expect that The Ensign Group will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current year.

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.0625 per share. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. The Ensign Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 4.89%.

The Ensign Group Company 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.