The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Receives $161.83 Consensus Price Target from Analysts

The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the six brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $165.17.

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on ENSG shares. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on The Ensign Group from $167.00 to $172.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, October 28th. Oppenheimer boosted their target price on shares of The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Truist Financial reduced their price target 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. Stephens reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $155.00 price objective on shares of The Ensign Group in a research note on Thursday. Finally, UBS Group began coverage on The Ensign Group in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $175.00 target price for the company.

Insider Activity

In related 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 $1,862,292.28. The trade was a 75.71 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 3rd. The shares were 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 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. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 40,486 shares of company stock valued at $5,995,390. Insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On The Ensign Group

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Ensign Group during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC grew 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 worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the period. Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in The Ensign Group by 150.6% during the fourth quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 208 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC raised its position in The Ensign Group by 115.2% in the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 284 shares of the company's stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. Finally, USA Financial Formulas acquired a new stake in The Ensign Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $54,000. 96.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

The Ensign Group Stock Down 8.7 %

Shares of NASDAQ:ENSG traded down $12.95 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $135.91. The company had a trading volume of 1,068,749 shares, compared to its average volume of 446,042. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.91, a PEG ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.94. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $138.28 and its 200-day moving average price is $143.85. 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 has a one year low of $113.27 and a one year high of $158.45.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly 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 return on equity of 17.21% and a net margin of 5.84%. Equities research analysts expect that The Ensign Group will post 5.02 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were given a $0.0625 dividend. This is a boost from The Ensign Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.18%. The Ensign Group's dividend payout ratio is 6.05%.

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.