National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Upgraded by BMO Capital Markets to “Hold” Rating

National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) was upgraded by BMO Capital Markets to a “hold” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

Separately, Robert W. Baird upgraded shares of National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, National HealthCare presently has a consensus rating of “Buy”.

National HealthCare Stock Up 1.4%

Shares of National HealthCare stock opened at $196.30 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $3.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.94 and a beta of 0.64. The company’s 50 day moving average is $168.98 and its 200 day moving average is $151.30. National HealthCare has a twelve month low of $93.54 and a twelve month high of $199.62.

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

Institutional Trading of National HealthCare

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in 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 valued at $142,407,000 after buying an additional 289,566 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP increased its holdings in National HealthCare by 45.4% during the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 530,302 shares of the company’s stock valued at $84,689,000 after buying an additional 165,615 shares during the last quarter. M Holdings Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in National HealthCare during the third quarter valued at approximately $56,283,000. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in National HealthCare by 0.7% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 318,440 shares of the company’s stock valued at $43,662,000 after buying an additional 2,361 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alps Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in National HealthCare by 19.9% during the third 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 during the last quarter. 56.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.