Perbak Capital Partners LLP Increases Stock Position in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Perbak Capital Partners LLP raised its holdings in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) by 45.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 8,223 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,564 shares during the period. Perbak Capital Partners LLP’s holdings in The Ensign Group were worth $1,093,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of ENSG. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC purchased a new position in shares of The Ensign Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 190.1% during the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 206 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 135 shares during the period. Venturi Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in The Ensign Group by 150.6% during the fourth quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 208 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the period. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in The Ensign Group by 38.8% during the fourth quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 354 shares of the company’s stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the period. Finally, Asset Planning Inc acquired a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group in the fourth quarter worth $80,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.12% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on ENSG shares. Truist Financial dropped their price target on The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Macquarie increased their price target on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $155.00 price target on shares of The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, The Ensign Group currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $165.17.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.52, for a total value of $5,805,052.72. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 12,539 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,862,292.28. This trade represents a 75.71 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.48, for a total transaction of $96,936.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 30,752 shares in the company, valued at $4,258,536.96. This represents a 2.23 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 42,486 shares of company stock worth $6,251,714. Corporate insiders own 3.90% of the company’s stock.

The Ensign Group Stock Performance

Shares of ENSG stock opened at $127.07 on Tuesday. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $113.27 and a 12-month high of $158.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.91. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $128.44 and a 200 day simple moving average of $136.68. 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 (NASDAQ:ENSG) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.47 by ($0.11). The Ensign Group had a net margin of 6.99% and a return on equity of 17.07%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current year.

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.0625 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.20%. The Ensign Group’s dividend payout ratio is 4.89%.

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.