National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) Stock Rating Upgraded by StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report released on Saturday morning.

National HealthCare Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE NHC opened at $124.58 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $123.57 and a 200-day simple moving average of $118.60. The company has a market cap of $1.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.61 and a beta of 0.41. National HealthCare has a 12 month low of $75.46 and a 12 month high of $138.49. The company has a quick ratio of 1.77, a current ratio of 1.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14.

National HealthCare Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.61 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 30th. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.96%. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio is currently 30.58%.

Insider Activity at National HealthCare

In other National HealthCare news, SVP Brian F. Kidd sold 2,000 shares of National HealthCare stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.01, for a total transaction of $260,020.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 21,747 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,827,327.47. The trade was a 8.42 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 13.75% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of National HealthCare

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in National HealthCare by 4.9% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,593,829 shares of the company’s stock worth $150,633,000 after buying an additional 74,911 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,022,033 shares of the company’s stock worth $110,788,000 after acquiring an additional 31,697 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in National HealthCare during the third quarter valued at approximately $98,156,000. Systematic Financial Management LP boosted its stake in National HealthCare by 6.6% in the 3rd quarter. Systematic Financial Management LP now owns 113,922 shares of the company’s stock valued at $14,328,000 after buying an additional 7,011 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of National HealthCare by 123.0% in the 2nd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 87,350 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,469,000 after purchasing an additional 48,182 shares in the last quarter. 56.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About National HealthCare

National HealthCare Corporation engages in the operation of services to skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, homecare and hospice agencies, and health hospitals. Its skilled nursing facilities offer licensed therapy services, nutrition services, social services, activities, and housekeeping and laundry services, as well as medical services prescribed by physicians; and rehabilitative services, such as physical, speech, respiratory, and occupational therapy for patients recovering from strokes, heart attacks, orthopedic conditions, neurological illnesses, or other illnesses, injuries, or disabilities.