National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) Downgraded by StockNews.com to “Buy”

National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) was downgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report released on Monday.

National HealthCare Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:NHC traded up $0.21 on Monday, reaching $93.38. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 64,721 shares, compared to its average volume of 58,433. National HealthCare has a 52-week low of $87.03 and a 52-week high of $138.49. The company has a market cap of $1.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.70 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $100.51 and a 200 day simple moving average of $116.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a current ratio of 1.80.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Health Corp National sold 28,147 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.71, for a total value of $3,200,595.37. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,056,616 shares in the company, valued at approximately $120,147,805.36. This represents a 2.59 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Timothy J. Shelly sold 614 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $121.44, for a total value of $74,564.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 13.75% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National HealthCare

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in National HealthCare in the 3rd quarter worth about $98,156,000. Northern Trust Corp boosted its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 4.8% in the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 193,792 shares of the company’s stock valued at $20,844,000 after purchasing an additional 8,795 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. grew its stake in National HealthCare by 2.8% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 164,911 shares of the company’s stock worth $17,738,000 after purchasing an additional 4,435 shares in the last quarter. Systematic Financial Management LP increased its holdings in National HealthCare by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. Systematic Financial Management LP now owns 117,884 shares of the company’s stock worth $12,680,000 after purchasing an additional 3,962 shares during the period. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its position in National HealthCare by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 63,739 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,856,000 after purchasing an additional 2,140 shares in the last quarter. 56.44% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.