The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) Posts Earnings Results, Misses Expectations By $0.11 EPS

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The company reported $1.36 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.47 by ($0.11), Zacks reports. The Ensign Group had a return on equity of 17.07% and a net margin of 6.99%. The Ensign Group updated its FY 2025 guidance to 6.160-6.340 EPS.

The Ensign Group Stock Performance

Shares of The Ensign Group stock traded down $4.91 on Friday, reaching $131.00. 774,208 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 432,409. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $7.53 billion, a PE ratio of 25.64, a PEG ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a 50 day moving average of $137.77 and a 200 day moving average of $143.86. The Ensign Group has a 52 week low of $113.27 and a 52 week high of $158.45.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on ENSG shares. UBS Group initiated coverage on The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, November 21st. They set a "buy" rating and a $175.00 price target for the company. Macquarie upped their target price on shares of The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $155.00 price target on shares of The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada upped 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. Finally, Oppenheimer lifted their target price 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. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, The Ensign Group has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $165.17.

Insider Activity at The Ensign Group

In other news, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of The Ensign Group stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.48, for a total value of $96,936.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 30,752 shares in the company, valued at $4,258,536.96. This trade represents a 2.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 40,486 shares of company stock worth $5,995,390. Insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

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.