Victory Capital Management Inc. Has $34.12 Million Position in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Victory Capital Management Inc. reduced its stake in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) by 10.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 304,112 shares of the company’s stock after selling 37,254 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. owned about 0.54% of The Ensign Group worth $34,124,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Intrust Bank NA boosted its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 6.7% in the 4th quarter. Intrust Bank NA now owns 4,339 shares of the company’s stock valued at $487,000 after purchasing an additional 273 shares in the last quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. boosted its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 2.7% in the 4th quarter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. now owns 79,046 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,870,000 after purchasing an additional 2,091 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $99,000. California Public Employees Retirement System boosted its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 278,902 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,296,000 after purchasing an additional 4,021 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Handelsbanken Fonder AB boosted its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 38.4% in the 4th quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 11,167 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,253,000 after purchasing an additional 3,100 shares in the last quarter. 96.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Transactions at The Ensign Group

In other news, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 10,800 shares of The Ensign Group stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.56, for a total value of $1,269,648.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 147,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,328,344. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Daren Shaw sold 6,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.67, for a total value of $718,020.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 31,375 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,754,646.25. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 10,800 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.56, for a total transaction of $1,269,648.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now owns 147,400 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $17,328,344. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 31,263 shares of company stock worth $3,735,086. Company insiders own 3.90% of the company’s stock.

The Ensign Group Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of NASDAQ ENSG opened at $116.05 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $6.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.95. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $87.14 and a 52-week high of $127.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.53. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $121.20 and its 200-day moving average price is $114.65.

The Ensign Group Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Sunday, March 31st were given a $0.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.21%. The Ensign Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 6.32%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ENSG has been the topic of several recent research reports. Oppenheimer lifted their target price on shares of The Ensign Group from $130.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of The Ensign Group from $112.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Finally, Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $135.00 target price on shares of The Ensign Group in a research report on Tuesday, April 23rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $124.60.

The Ensign Group Company Profile

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.