National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Hits New 1-Year High – Still a Buy?

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC)’s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $222.13 and last traded at $222.39, with a volume of 2580 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $210.79.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

National HealthCare Trading Up 4.3%

The firm has a 50-day moving average of $198.35 and a 200 day moving average of $171.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.61 and a beta of 0.63.

National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) last released its quarterly earnings results 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 business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 30th will be given a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 30th. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. This is a boost from National HealthCare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.64. National HealthCare’s payout ratio is currently 61.89%.

Insider Activity at National HealthCare

In related news, Director Lisa Piercey purchased 949 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, June 1st. The shares were bought at an average cost of $184.26 per share, for a total transaction of $174,862.74. Following the transaction, the director owned 949 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $174,862.74. This represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 13.92% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in NHC. Strs Ohio bought a new stake in shares of National HealthCare in the 4th quarter worth $809,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its stake in National HealthCare by 21.1% during the fourth quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 58,466 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,625,000 after buying an additional 10,170 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake 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 in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System acquired a new position in National HealthCare during the first quarter worth about $878,000. Finally, Vest Financial LLC grew its holdings in National HealthCare by 101.4% during the fourth quarter. Vest Financial LLC now owns 25,343 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,474,000 after acquiring an additional 12,759 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.