BNP Paribas Financial Markets Sells 5,454 Shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets lowered its position in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) by 10.5% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 46,422 shares of the company's stock after selling 5,454 shares during the quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets owned 0.08% of The Ensign Group worth $6,168,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Barclays PLC lifted its position in The Ensign Group by 260.3% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 107,288 shares of the company's stock worth $15,430,000 after purchasing an additional 77,514 shares during the period. Tidal Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Ensign Group in the 3rd quarter valued at $200,000. Park Avenue Securities LLC lifted its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 20.8% during the 4th quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 10,031 shares of the company's stock worth $1,333,000 after acquiring an additional 1,730 shares during the period. West Coast Financial LLC lifted its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. West Coast Financial LLC now owns 34,146 shares of the company's stock worth $4,537,000 after acquiring an additional 748 shares during the period. Finally, Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.12% of the company's stock.

The Ensign Group Price Performance

Shares of The Ensign Group stock traded up $2.71 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $149.75. 421,674 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 439,853. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The company has a market cap of $8.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.03. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $116.23 and a fifty-two week high of $158.45. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $129.97 and a 200 day simple moving average of $135.66.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.52 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.50 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $1.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.17 billion. The Ensign Group had a return on equity of 17.07% and a net margin of 6.99%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 16.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.30 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st were issued a $0.0625 dividend. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.17%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. The Ensign Group's dividend payout ratio is 4.73%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.15, for a total value of $90,405.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 30,052 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,881,215.80. This trade represents a 2.28% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently issued reports on ENSG shares. Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $155.00 price target on shares of The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Macquarie lowered their price objective on The Ensign Group from $159.00 to $156.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $163.50.

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.