National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Hits New 12-Month High – Here’s What Happened

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC)’s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $205.90 and last traded at $201.53, with a volume of 667141 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $191.10.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have commented on NHC. BMO Capital Markets raised shares of National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised shares of National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Buy”.

National HealthCare Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $3.15 billion, a PE ratio of 25.61 and a beta of 0.64. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $183.65 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $161.90.

National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 7th. The company reported $1.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $381.82 million during the quarter. National HealthCare had a return on equity of 9.98% and a net margin of 8.10%.

National HealthCare Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 30th will be given a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. This is a positive change from National HealthCare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.64. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 30th. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio is 59.12%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Lisa Piercey bought 949 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 1st. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $184.26 per share, with a total value of $174,862.74. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 949 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $174,862.74. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 13.92% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National HealthCare

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. M Holdings Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in National HealthCare in the 3rd quarter valued at about $56,283,000. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of National HealthCare by 38.6% during the fourth quarter. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,038,787 shares of the company’s stock worth $142,407,000 after acquiring an additional 289,566 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of National HealthCare by 556.4% during the third quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 207,483 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,211,000 after acquiring an additional 175,873 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its stake in shares of National HealthCare by 407.2% during the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 75,257 shares of the company’s stock valued at $12,019,000 after acquiring an additional 60,420 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Eversept Partners LP purchased a new stake in shares of National HealthCare in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $3,918,000. Institutional investors own 56.44% of the company’s stock.

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.