The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Shares Sold by Bard Associates Inc.

Bard Associates Inc. lowered its stake in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) by 2.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 89,752 shares of the company’s stock after selling 2,517 shares during the quarter. The Ensign Group makes up about 4.1% of Bard Associates Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its biggest position. Bard Associates Inc.’s holdings in The Ensign Group were worth $11,930,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ENSG. State of Michigan Retirement System lifted its holdings in The Ensign Group by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 13,500 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,794,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 67.8% during the fourth 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. boosted its position in The Ensign Group by 3.4% during the fourth quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,733 shares of the company’s stock worth $762,000 after acquiring an additional 186 shares during the last quarter. Versor Investments LP grew its stake in The Ensign Group by 89.7% in the 4th quarter. Versor Investments LP now owns 2,798 shares of the company’s stock worth $372,000 after acquiring an additional 1,323 shares during the period. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter valued at $3,972,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.12% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at The Ensign Group

In related news, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.52, for a total transaction of $5,805,052.72. Following the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 12,539 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,862,292.28. The trade was a 75.71 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the 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 sale, the director now directly owns 30,752 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,258,536.96. This trade represents a 2.23 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 42,486 shares of company stock worth $6,254,710. 3.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

The Ensign Group Price Performance

Shares of The Ensign Group stock opened at $129.87 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.41, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.94. 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 business’s fifty day moving average price is $134.08 and its 200 day moving average price is $142.65. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $113.27 and a twelve month high of $158.45.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last issued its 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 17.07% and a net margin of 6.99%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current year.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were paid a $0.0625 dividend. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. This is an increase from The Ensign Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. The Ensign Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 4.89%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Macquarie raised their price objective on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. UBS Group started coverage on The Ensign Group in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. They issued a “buy” rating and a $175.00 price target on the stock. Truist Financial lowered their price target on The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $155.00 price objective on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, February 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, The Ensign Group has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $165.17.

The Ensign Group Profile

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.