Insider Selling: National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Director Sells $401,022.18 in Stock

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Director David Gifford sold 1,779 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.42, for a total value of $401,022.18. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 1,030 shares in the company, valued at approximately $232,182.60. This trade represents a 63.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link.

National HealthCare Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEAMERICAN:NHC traded up $0.44 during trading on Friday, reaching $222.70. 147,492 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 111,936. National HealthCare Corporation has a 12-month low of $111.24 and a 12-month high of $239.29. The firm has a market cap of $3.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.05 and a beta of 0.61. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $218.93 and its 200 day moving average price is $189.65.

National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The company reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $408.03 million for the quarter. National HealthCare had a net margin of 9.00% and a return on equity of 10.03%.

National HealthCare Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 30th will be given a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 30th. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio is presently 61.89%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, May 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Robert W. Baird raised National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, May 18th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upgraded National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, National HealthCare presently has a consensus rating of “Buy”.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National HealthCare

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. California State Teachers Retirement System increased its position in shares of National HealthCare by 23,945.9% during the second quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 2,937,693 shares of the company’s stock worth $620,911,000 after acquiring an additional 2,925,476 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new position in National HealthCare in the second quarter valued at about $417,602,000. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in National HealthCare in the second quarter valued at about $217,391,000. First Trust Advisors LP grew its stake in National HealthCare by 556.4% during the 3rd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 207,483 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,211,000 after purchasing an additional 175,873 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new stake in shares of National HealthCare in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,854,000. 56.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

National HealthCare Company Profile

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSE American: NHC) is a healthcare services company specializing in long-term care and post-acute rehabilitation. The company operates skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and outpatient therapy clinics. Through its subsidiary, National HealthCare Partners, NHC provides contract rehabilitation services, pharmacy management and clinical consulting to a broad network of senior living and healthcare providers.

Headquartered in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, National HealthCare Corporation has built a regional footprint across the southeastern and south-central United States.