The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Shares Bought by Rhumbline Advisers

Rhumbline Advisers raised its stake in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) by 1.4% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 205,313 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 2,915 shares during the quarter. Rhumbline Advisers owned approximately 0.36% of The Ensign Group worth $26,567,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in ENSG. Forum Financial Management LP raised its holdings in The Ensign Group by 5.8% in the 4th quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 1,524 shares of the company's stock valued at $202,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. Equitable Trust Co. increased its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 4,998 shares of the company's stock valued at $664,000 after acquiring an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc increased its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 1,731 shares of the company's stock valued at $230,000 after acquiring an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. DeDora Capital Inc. increased its position in The Ensign Group by 1.4% during the fourth quarter. DeDora Capital Inc. now owns 7,188 shares of the company's stock worth $955,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC increased its position in The Ensign Group by 38.8% during the fourth quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 354 shares of the company's stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. 96.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, VP Beverly B. Wittekind sold 3,539 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total transaction of $530,850.00. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 39,209 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,881,350. This represents a 8.28% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Daren Shaw sold 1,999 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $145.47, for a total value of $290,794.53. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 24,926 shares in the company, valued at $3,625,985.22. The trade was a 7.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

The Ensign Group Price Performance

Shares of ENSG opened at $151.69 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $135.72 and a 200 day moving average price of $135.42. The company has a market cap of $8.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.68, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.56. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $117.41 and a 12 month high of $158.45.

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

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st were given a $0.0625 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 31st. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.16%. The Ensign Group's payout ratio is 4.73%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have commented on ENSG. Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $155.00 price target on shares of The Ensign Group in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Macquarie lowered their price target on shares of 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 issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, The Ensign Group currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $163.50.

The Ensign Group 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.

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