The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Director Barry M. Smith Sells 700 Shares of Stock

The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 approximately $4,258,536.96. This trade represents a 2.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink.

The Ensign Group Stock Up 2.4 %

Shares of The Ensign Group stock opened at $148.86 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $8.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.04, a PEG ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.94. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $138.28 and its 200 day moving average 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, Inc. has a one year low of $113.27 and a one year high of $158.45.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates 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 anticipate that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.02 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. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were issued a $0.0625 dividend. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.17%. 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 dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6.05%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On The Ensign Group

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 67.8% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 1,574 shares of the company’s stock valued at $209,000 after buying an additional 636 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in The Ensign Group by 3.4% in the fourth quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,733 shares of the company’s stock valued at $762,000 after acquiring an additional 186 shares during the period. Versor Investments LP increased its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 89.7% during the fourth quarter. Versor Investments LP now owns 2,798 shares of the company’s stock valued at $372,000 after acquiring an additional 1,323 shares in the last quarter. Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Ensign Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $3,972,000. Finally, New York Life Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter worth $777,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.12% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the company. Stephens increased 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. Oppenheimer increased their price target on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on The Ensign Group from $167.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Macquarie increased their target price on shares of The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, UBS Group assumed coverage on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, November 21st. They set a “buy” rating and a $175.00 price target for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $167.17.

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.