PACS Group (NYSE:PACS) versus The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) Critical Contrast

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) and PACS Group (NYSE:PACS) are both mid-cap medical companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, dividends, profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and earnings.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for The Ensign Group and PACS Group, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
The Ensign Group	0	1	4	0	2.80
PACS Group	0	0	7	0	3.00

The Ensign Group presently has a consensus target price of $145.40, suggesting a potential upside of 0.79%. PACS Group has a consensus target price of $37.57, suggesting a potential downside of 2.41%. Given The Ensign Group’s higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe The Ensign Group is more favorable than PACS Group.

Profitability

This table compares The Ensign Group and PACS Group’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
The Ensign Group	5.68%	17.32%	6.32%
PACS Group	N/A	N/A	N/A

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares The Ensign Group and PACS Group”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
The Ensign Group	$3.97 billion	2.07	$209.40 million	$3.80	37.96
PACS Group	$3.11 billion	1.89	$112.87 million	N/A	N/A

The Ensign Group has higher revenue and earnings than PACS Group.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

96.1% of The Ensign Group shares are held by institutional investors. 3.9% of The Ensign Group shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

The Ensign Group beats PACS Group on 9 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

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. Its Standard Bearer segment is comprised of selected real estate properties owned by Standard Bearer and leased to skilled nursing and senior living operators. In addition, the company provides ancillary services consisting of digital x-ray, ultrasound, electrocardiograms, sub-acute services, dialysis, respiratory, and long-term care pharmacy and patient transportation to people in their homes or at long-term care facilities, as well as mobile diagnostics. It operates in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. The company was incorporated in 1999 and is based in San Juan Capistrano, California.

About PACS Group

PACS Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities in the United States. The company also provides senior care and independent facilities. It engages in the acquisition, ownership, and leasing of health care-related properties. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Farmington, Utah.