Short Interest in National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Expands By 21.7%

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in March. As of March 13th, there was short interest totaling 581,372 shares, an increase of 21.7% from the February 26th total of 477,852 shares. Currently, 4.4% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 93,385 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 6.2 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National HealthCare

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in NHC. Alps Advisors Inc. increased its position in National HealthCare by 19.9% in the 3rd quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 176,002 shares of the company’s stock valued at $21,386,000 after buying an additional 29,246 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in National HealthCare by 55.9% in the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 48,296 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,020,000 after acquiring an additional 17,317 shares in the last quarter. Vest Financial LLC acquired a new stake in National HealthCare in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,529,000. M Holdings Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in National HealthCare in the third quarter valued at approximately $56,283,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of National HealthCare during the third quarter valued at approximately $1,167,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 56.44% of the company’s stock.

National HealthCare Stock Performance

National HealthCare stock opened at $157.97 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.60 and a beta of 0.58. National HealthCare has a 52-week low of $89.14 and a 52-week high of $174.54. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $158.84 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $139.54.

National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 26th. The company reported $1.83 earnings per share for the quarter. National HealthCare had a net margin of 7.91% and a return on equity of 9.59%. The company had revenue of $386.51 million during the quarter.

National HealthCare Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be paid a $0.64 dividend. This represents a $2.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 31st. National HealthCare’s payout ratio is 59.12%.

About National HealthCare

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSE American: NHC) is a healthcare services company specializing in long-term care and post-acute rehabilitation. The company operates skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and outpatient therapy clinics. Through its subsidiary, National HealthCare Partners, NHC provides contract rehabilitation services, pharmacy management and clinical consulting to a broad network of senior living and healthcare providers.

Headquartered in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, National HealthCare Corporation has built a regional footprint across the southeastern and south-central United States.