Smartleaf Asset Management LLC Acquires 636 Shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) by 67.8% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 1,574 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 636 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC’s holdings in The Ensign Group were worth $209,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC bought a new stake in The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 190.1% in the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 206 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in The Ensign Group by 150.6% during the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 208 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Asset Planning Inc purchased a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $80,000. Finally, South Dakota Investment Council bought a new position in shares of The Ensign Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $104,000. Institutional investors own 96.12% of the company’s stock.

The Ensign Group Stock Up 1.5 %

The Ensign Group stock opened at $131.50 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $7.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.73, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $113.27 and a twelve month high of $158.45. The business has a fifty day moving average of $133.89 and a two-hundred day moving average of $142.49.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.36 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.47 by ($0.11). The Ensign Group had a return on equity of 17.07% and a net margin of 6.99%. On average, analysts forecast that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st were paid a $0.0625 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. This is a boost from The Ensign Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.19%. The Ensign Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 4.89%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on shares of The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Stephens reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $155.00 price objective on shares of The Ensign Group in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. UBS Group began coverage on shares of The Ensign Group in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. They set a “buy” rating and a $175.00 price target for the company. Finally, Macquarie upped their target price on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, The Ensign Group currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $165.17.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Ensign Group

In other 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 completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 30,852 shares in the company, valued at $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 available through the SEC website. Also, Director Daren Shaw sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total transaction of $259,320.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 26,325 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,413,299.50. This trade represents a 7.06 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 43,186 shares of company stock worth $6,345,115. 3.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.