The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,440,000 shares, an increase of 11.9% from the November 30th total of 2,180,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 552,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 4.4 days. Currently, 4.4% of the company's shares are sold short.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have weighed in on ENSG. Oppenheimer increased their price objective on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Stephens lifted their price target on shares of 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 price objective on shares of The Ensign Group from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, October 28th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of The Ensign Group from $167.00 to $172.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on shares of 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 issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, The Ensign Group presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $164.33.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Barry Port sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.00, for a total transaction of $310,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 53,716 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,325,980. This represents a 3.59 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 3.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On The Ensign Group

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ENSG. Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in The Ensign Group by 115.2% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 284 shares of the company's stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. USA Financial Formulas purchased a new position in The Ensign Group in the third quarter worth about $54,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 30.1% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 385 shares of the company's stock worth $55,000 after buying an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board purchased a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $49,000. Finally, Quarry LP increased its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 294.2% during the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 477 shares of the company's stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 356 shares in the last quarter. 96.12% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

The Ensign Group Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of NASDAQ:ENSG traded down $1.20 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $132.78. The company's stock had a trading volume of 348,024 shares, compared to its average volume of 370,856. 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 firm has a 50 day moving average of $144.91 and a 200-day moving average of $142.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.15, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 0.92. The Ensign Group has a 12-month low of $110.71 and a 12-month high of $158.45.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The company reported $1.39 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.38 by $0.01. The Ensign Group had a net margin of 5.84% and a return on equity of 17.21%. The business had revenue of $1.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.07 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.10 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 15.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that The Ensign Group will post 5.03 earnings per share for the current year.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.0625 per share. This is a boost from The Ensign Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.19%. The Ensign Group's payout ratio is presently 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.