Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Has $2.69 Million Stake in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lowered its stake in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) by 64.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 18,693 shares of the company's stock after selling 33,222 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans' holdings in The Ensign Group were worth $2,689,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of ENSG. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. EntryPoint Capital LLC acquired a new stake in The Ensign Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Signaturefd LLC lifted its stake in The Ensign Group by 115.2% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 284 shares of the company's stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. USA Financial Formulas acquired a new position in The Ensign Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $54,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. boosted its position in The Ensign Group by 30.1% during the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 385 shares of the company's stock worth $55,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. 96.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

The Ensign Group Stock Performance

NASDAQ:ENSG traded down $0.36 on Wednesday, hitting $145.98. The company's stock had a trading volume of 297,791 shares, compared to its average volume of 377,342. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a one year low of $104.18 and a one year high of $158.45. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $148.48 and a two-hundred day moving average of $138.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 0.95.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The company reported $1.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.38 by $0.01. The Ensign Group had a return on equity of 17.21% and a net margin of 5.84%. The business had revenue of $1.08 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.07 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.10 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 15.0% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.02 earnings per share for the current year.

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 30th were issued a $0.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 30th. This represents a $0.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.16%. The Ensign Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 5.81%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other The Ensign Group news, CEO Barry Port sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, October 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.00, for a total transaction of $310,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 53,716 shares in the company, valued at $8,325,980. This trade represents a 3.59 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Company insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently commented on ENSG. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of The Ensign Group from $167.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Oppenheimer boosted their price target on shares of The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Stephens raised their price objective on The Ensign Group from $163.00 to $167.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, October 28th. Truist Financial upped their target price on The Ensign Group from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, October 28th. Finally, UBS Group assumed coverage on The Ensign Group in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. They issued a "buy" rating and a $175.00 price target for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $164.33.

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.