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 on Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.15, for a total value of $90,405.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 30,052 shares in the company, valued at $3,881,215.80. This trade represents a 2.28 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

The Ensign Group Stock Up 1.5 %

The Ensign Group stock traded up $1.98 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $131.50. The stock had a trading volume of 415,651 shares, compared to its average volume of 452,887. 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 Ensign Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $113.27 and a 52-week high of $158.45. The stock has a market cap of $7.56 billion, a PE ratio of 25.73, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.94. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $133.89 and a 200 day moving average price of $142.49.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.47 by ($0.11). The Ensign Group had a return on equity of 17.07% and a net margin of 6.99%. On average, analysts predict that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current year.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were given a dividend of $0.0625 per share. This is a boost from The Ensign Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.19%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. The Ensign Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 4.89%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Baillie Gifford & Co. acquired a new position in The Ensign Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $151,827,000. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $90,747,000. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 42.3% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,995,971 shares of the company’s stock valued at $287,061,000 after buying an additional 593,779 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter valued at $36,167,000. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 54.6% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 649,764 shares of the company’s stock valued at $93,449,000 after buying an additional 229,586 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.12% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. UBS Group started coverage on The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. They issued a “buy” rating and a $175.00 target price for the company. Truist Financial cut their target price on shares of The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $155.00 price target on shares of The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Macquarie boosted their price target 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. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $165.17.

The Ensign Group Company 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.