The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Shares Sold by Gagnon Securities LLC

Gagnon Securities LLC lowered its position in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) by 6.0% in the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 220,725 shares of the company’s stock after selling 14,106 shares during the period. The Ensign Group accounts for 5.9% of Gagnon Securities LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 4th biggest holding. Gagnon Securities LLC’s holdings in The Ensign Group were worth $29,326,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC acquired a new position in The Ensign Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC raised its position in The Ensign Group by 190.1% during the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 206 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC raised its position in The Ensign Group by 115.2% during the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 284 shares of the company’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. USA Financial Formulas bought a new stake in The Ensign Group during the third quarter worth $54,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in The Ensign Group by 30.1% during the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 385 shares of the company’s stock worth $55,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.12% of the company’s stock.

The Ensign Group Stock Performance

NASDAQ:ENSG opened at $139.66 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.56. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $110.71 and a 1-year high of $158.45. The business has a 50 day moving average of $138.30 and a 200 day moving average of $143.64. The company has a market capitalization of $8.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.82, a PEG ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 0.93.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were issued a dividend of $0.0625 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. This is an increase from The Ensign Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.18%. The Ensign Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6.05%.

Insider Activity

In other The Ensign Group news, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.43, for a total value of $93,401.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 30,852 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,116,582.36. This trade represents a 2.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 3.90% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ENSG has been the topic of several research reports. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, November 21st. They issued a “buy” rating and a $175.00 price objective on the stock. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on shares of The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 6th. Stephens upped their price target on shares of The Ensign Group from $163.00 to $167.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of The Ensign Group from $167.00 to $172.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Finally, Oppenheimer upped their price target on shares of The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $161.83.

About The Ensign Group

The Ensign Group, Inc provides skilled nursing, senior living, and rehabilitative services. It operates through two segments: Skilled Services and Standard Bearer. The company's Skilled Services segment engages in the operation of skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation therapy services for patients with chronic conditions, prolonged illness, and the elderly; and offers nursing facilities including specialty care, such as on-site dialysis, ventilator care, cardiac, and pulmonary management, as well as standard services comprising room and board, special nutritional programs, social services, recreational activities, entertainment, and other services.