National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Hits New 52-Week High – Here’s Why

Shares of National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $232.67 and last traded at $231.9130, with a volume of 11014 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $231.00.

Analyst Ratings Changes

NHC has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group raised National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Robert W. Baird raised shares of National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, May 18th. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of National HealthCare to a “hold” 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 report on Monday, May 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, National HealthCare has a consensus rating of “Buy”.

National HealthCare Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $3.59 billion, a PE ratio of 29.03 and a beta of 0.63. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $204.39 and its 200-day simple moving average is $176.87.

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

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 paid a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 30th. This is a positive change from National HealthCare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.64. National HealthCare’s payout ratio is presently 61.89%.

Insider Transactions at National HealthCare

In related news, Director Lisa Piercey purchased 949 shares of National HealthCare stock in a transaction on Monday, June 1st. The shares were bought at an average price of $184.26 per share, with a total value of $174,862.74. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 949 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $174,862.74. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 13.92% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of National HealthCare

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in National HealthCare by 53.6% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,724 shares of the company’s stock worth $253,000 after acquiring an additional 950 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of National HealthCare by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 16,080 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,492,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 3.1% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 9,247 shares of the company’s stock valued at $858,000 after purchasing an additional 281 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 7.1% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 73,772 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,846,000 after purchasing an additional 4,879 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its position in shares of National HealthCare by 18.1% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 30,246 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,807,000 after purchasing an additional 4,628 shares during the last quarter. 56.44% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

National HealthCare Company Profile

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.