National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Sets New 1-Year High – What’s Next?

Shares of National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $205.90 and last traded at $201.53, with a volume of 667141 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $191.10.

Analyst Ratings Changes

NHC has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, May 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Buy”.

National HealthCare Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $3.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.61 and a beta of 0.64. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $182.37 and its 200 day moving average is $161.16.

National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 7th. The company reported $1.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. National HealthCare had a return on equity of 9.98% and a net margin of 8.10%.The firm had revenue of $381.82 million during the quarter.

National HealthCare Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 30th will be given a dividend of $0.67 per share. This is an increase from National HealthCare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.64. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 30th. National HealthCare’s payout ratio is currently 59.12%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Lisa Piercey bought 949 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 1st. The shares were acquired at an average price of $184.26 per share, with a total value of $174,862.74. Following the transaction, the director owned 949 shares in the company, valued at $174,862.74. This represents a ? increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 13.92% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National HealthCare

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of NHC. Royal Bank of Canada grew its stake in shares of National HealthCare by 53.6% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,724 shares of the company’s stock worth $253,000 after acquiring an additional 950 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of National HealthCare by 1.7% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 16,080 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,492,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its position in shares of National HealthCare by 3.1% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 9,247 shares of the company’s stock worth $858,000 after purchasing an additional 281 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in National HealthCare by 7.1% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 73,772 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,846,000 after purchasing an additional 4,879 shares during the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its position in National HealthCare by 18.1% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 30,246 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,807,000 after purchasing an additional 4,628 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 56.44% of the company’s stock.

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.