The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Given Average Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the six ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $165.17.

ENSG has been the subject of a number of research reports. Truist Financial lowered their price target on The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a 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 report on Thursday, February 6th. Macquarie upped their target price on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, UBS Group assumed coverage on The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. They set a "buy" rating and a $175.00 price target on the stock.

The Ensign Group Stock Performance

Shares of ENSG traded down $0.35 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $129.52. The stock had a trading volume of 358,354 shares, compared to its average volume of 453,796. 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 12 month low of $113.27 and a 12 month high of $158.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.44 billion, a PE ratio of 25.35, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.94. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $134.00 and a 200 day moving average price of $142.57.

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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 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 anticipate that The Ensign Group will post 5.59 EPS for the current year.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

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

Insider Activity

In other The Ensign Group news, Director Daren Shaw sold 2,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total value of $259,320.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 26,325 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,413,299.50. This represents a 7.06 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.43, for a total transaction of $93,401.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 30,852 shares in the company, valued at $4,116,582.36. The trade was a 2.22 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 42,486 shares of company stock valued at $6,254,710. Insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On The Ensign Group

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in The Ensign Group during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in The Ensign Group by 190.1% during the 4th quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 206 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the period. Venturi Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in The Ensign Group by 150.6% during the 4th 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 boosted its stake in The Ensign Group by 38.8% during the 4th quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 354 shares of the company's stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the period. Finally, Asset Planning Inc acquired a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $80,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.12% of the company's stock.

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.