1,028,534 Shares in National HealthCare Corporation $NHC Bought by Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC

Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 1,028,534 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $217,391,000. National HealthCare makes up approximately 20.3% of Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 3rd largest position. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC owned 6.57% of National HealthCare at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in National HealthCare during the 2nd quarter worth $417,602,000. First Trust Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of National HealthCare by 556.4% in 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. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new stake in shares of National HealthCare in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,854,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its position in shares of National HealthCare by 407.2% during the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 75,257 shares of the company’s stock worth $12,019,000 after purchasing an additional 60,420 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Eversept Partners LP bought a new position in shares of National HealthCare during the fourth quarter worth about $3,918,000. 56.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Stephen Fowler Flatt sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $237.08, for a total transaction of $355,620.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 65,487 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,525,657.96. This represents a 2.24% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Lisa Piercey purchased 949 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 1st. The stock was bought at an average cost of $184.26 per share, for a total transaction of $174,862.74. Following the acquisition, the director owned 949 shares in the company, valued at approximately $174,862.74. The trade was a ? increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 13.92% of the company’s stock.

National HealthCare Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEAMERICAN:NHC opened at $233.40 on Monday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $216.53 and its two-hundred day moving average is $187.69. National HealthCare Corporation has a 1-year low of $110.58 and a 1-year high of $239.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.25 and a beta of 0.61.

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

National HealthCare Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 30th will be paid a $0.67 dividend. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 30th. National HealthCare’s payout ratio is presently 61.89%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

National HealthCare 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.