UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Has $19.58 Million Position in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its stake in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) by 9.0% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 147,356 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 12,108 shares during the quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned approximately 0.26% of The Ensign Group worth $19,578,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of ENSG. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of The Ensign Group during the 4th quarter worth $90,747,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group during the 4th quarter worth $36,167,000. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 26.7% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 937,930 shares of the company's stock worth $124,613,000 after buying an additional 197,865 shares during the last quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group during the 4th quarter worth $22,777,000. Finally, Wasatch Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 3,497,137 shares of the company's stock worth $464,630,000 after buying an additional 159,691 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.12% of the company's stock.

The Ensign Group Stock Up 0.9%

Shares of The Ensign Group stock traded up $1.28 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $147.82. 347,119 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 445,872. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $133.99 and a 200-day simple moving average of $135.28. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The company has a market cap of $8.50 billion, a PE ratio of 28.93, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.03. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $117.41 and a twelve month high of $158.45.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.52 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.50 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $1.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.17 billion. The Ensign Group had a return on equity of 17.07% and a net margin of 6.99%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 16.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.30 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Dividend Announcement

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other The Ensign Group news, VP Beverly B. Wittekind sold 3,539 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Friday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total value of $530,850.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 39,209 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,881,350. This represents a 8.28% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.15, for a total transaction of $90,405.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 30,052 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,881,215.80. This trade represents a 2.28% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 6,238 shares of company stock valued at $912,050 over the last quarter. Insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently commented on ENSG. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $155.00 price objective on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Macquarie dropped their price objective on The Ensign Group from $159.00 to $156.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, The Ensign Group currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $163.50.

About The Ensign Group

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.