National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC) Shares Bought by Alps Advisors Inc.

Alps Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC - Free Report) by 7.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 147,800 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 10,614 shares during the period. Alps Advisors Inc. owned approximately 0.96% of National HealthCare worth $13,716,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in NHC. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in National HealthCare by 10,510.2% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 31,088 shares of the company's stock worth $2,885,000 after acquiring an additional 30,795 shares during the last quarter. Sovereign s Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in National HealthCare in the 4th quarter worth $2,632,000. First Trust Advisors LP raised its stake in National HealthCare by 75.6% in the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 47,062 shares of the company's stock worth $5,062,000 after acquiring an additional 20,268 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in National HealthCare by 46.6% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 63,145 shares of the company's stock worth $6,792,000 after acquiring an additional 20,072 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Prudential Financial Inc. raised its stake in National HealthCare by 98.2% in the 4th quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 28,192 shares of the company's stock worth $3,032,000 after acquiring an additional 13,970 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 56.44% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Wall Street Zen upgraded National HealthCare from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th.

National HealthCare Stock Performance

NHC stock traded down $0.09 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $103.17. The stock had a trading volume of 186,356 shares, compared to its average volume of 60,579. The stock has a market cap of $1.60 billion, a PE ratio of 12.93 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a current ratio of 1.80. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $104.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $99.15. National HealthCare Co. has a 52-week low of $89.14 and a 52-week high of $138.49.

National HealthCare Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be given a dividend of $0.64 per share. This is an increase from National HealthCare's previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. This represents a $2.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.48%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 30th. National HealthCare's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 36.99%.

About National HealthCare

National HealthCare Corporation engages in the operation of services to skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, homecare and hospice agencies, and health hospitals. Its skilled nursing facilities offer licensed therapy services, nutrition services, social services, activities, and housekeeping and laundry services, as well as medical services prescribed by physicians; and rehabilitative services, such as physical, speech, respiratory, and occupational therapy for patients recovering from strokes, heart attacks, orthopedic conditions, neurological illnesses, or other illnesses, injuries, or disabilities.