Lazard Asset Management LLC Has $4.76 Million Stake in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) by 98.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 35,838 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 17,768 shares during the quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC owned approximately 0.06% of The Ensign Group worth $4,760,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in ENSG. Pacer Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group during the 4th quarter worth about $1,099,000. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH grew its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 10.0% in the fourth quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 130,047 shares of the company's stock valued at $17,278,000 after purchasing an additional 11,830 shares during the last quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. increased its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 339.6% during the fourth quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. now owns 10,305 shares of the company's stock worth $1,369,000 after purchasing an additional 7,961 shares during the period. HB Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in The Ensign Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $263,000. Finally, Barclays PLC boosted its stake in The Ensign Group by 260.3% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 107,288 shares of the company's stock valued at $15,430,000 after purchasing an additional 77,514 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 96.12% of the company's stock.

The Ensign Group Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:ENSG traded down $2.05 during trading on Monday, reaching $147.70. 607,487 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 442,770. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.49 billion, a PE ratio of 28.90, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.03. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $116.23 and a 52 week high of $158.45. 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's 50 day moving average is $130.40 and its two-hundred day moving average is $135.33.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) 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 firm had revenue of $1.17 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.17 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.30 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 16.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current year.

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Daren Shaw sold 1,999 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $145.47, for a total transaction of $290,794.53. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 24,926 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,625,985.22. The trade was a 7.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Beverly B. Wittekind sold 3,539 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.00, for a total transaction of $530,850.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 39,209 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,881,350. This trade represents a 8.28% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 6,238 shares of company stock worth $912,050 over the last three months. Insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ENSG has been the subject of a number of research reports. Macquarie dropped their target price 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. Stephens reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $155.00 price objective on shares of The Ensign Group in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. 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 stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price 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.