National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Stock Passes Above 200-Day Moving Average – Should You Sell?

Shares of National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $158.61 and traded as high as $193.18. National HealthCare shares last traded at $192.12, with a volume of 142,535 shares traded.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have commented on NHC. BMO Capital Markets raised shares of National HealthCare to a “hold” 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. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upgraded National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy”.

National HealthCare Trading Up 2.3%

The company’s 50 day moving average price is $178.48 and its 200-day moving average price is $158.61. The company has a market capitalization of $3.00 billion, a PE ratio of 24.41 and a beta of 0.64.

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

National HealthCare Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 30th. This is an increase from National HealthCare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.64. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 59.12%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Lisa Piercey bought 949 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 1st. The stock was acquired at an average price of $184.26 per share, for a total transaction of $174,862.74. Following the acquisition, the director owned 949 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $174,862.74. This trade represents a ? increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 13.92% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of National HealthCare

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of NHC. M Holdings Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of National HealthCare during the 3rd quarter worth about $56,283,000. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in National HealthCare by 38.6% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,038,787 shares of the company’s stock worth $142,407,000 after purchasing an additional 289,566 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP increased its holdings in 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. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its holdings in National HealthCare by 407.2% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 75,257 shares of the company’s stock valued at $12,019,000 after purchasing an additional 60,420 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Eversept Partners LP acquired a new stake in National HealthCare in the 4th quarter valued at $3,918,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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.