The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) is Van Berkom & Associates Inc.’s 10th Largest Position

Van Berkom & Associates Inc. reduced its stake in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) by 10.0% during the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 700,961 shares of the company’s stock after selling 77,836 shares during the period. The Ensign Group makes up 2.8% of Van Berkom & Associates Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 10th largest position. Van Berkom & Associates Inc.’s holdings in The Ensign Group were worth $93,130,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Handelsbanken Fonder AB grew its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 32.9% in the 4th quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 16,967 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,254,000 after buying an additional 4,200 shares during the last quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp increased its position in The Ensign Group by 24.7% during the fourth quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp now owns 7,992 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,062,000 after buying an additional 1,585 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC increased its position in The Ensign Group by 54.5% during the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 1,194 shares of the company’s stock worth $159,000 after buying an additional 421 shares during the period. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in The Ensign Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $244,000. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its position in The Ensign Group by 150.6% in the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 208 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during 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 $127.47 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $7.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.95, a P/E/G ratio of 1.53 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 firm’s 50 day moving average is $134.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $142.99. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $113.27 and a fifty-two week high of $158.45.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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 net margin of 6.99% and a return on equity of 17.07%. Analysts expect that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current year.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st were given a dividend of $0.0625 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. This is a positive change from The Ensign Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.20%. The Ensign Group’s payout ratio is 4.89%.

Insider Activity

In other news, 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 directly owns 26,325 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,413,299.50. This represents a 7.06 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of The Ensign Group stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.48, for a total value of $96,936.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 30,752 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,258,536.96. This trade represents a 2.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 42,486 shares of company stock worth $6,254,710. 3.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have weighed in on ENSG. Stephens reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $155.00 price objective on shares of The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of The Ensign Group in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. They issued a “buy” rating and a $175.00 price objective for the company. Oppenheimer upped their target price on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. 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. Finally, Macquarie boosted their target price on shares of 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.com, The Ensign Group currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $165.17.

The Ensign Group Profile

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.