19,371 Shares in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Acquired by LRT Capital Management LLC

LRT Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 19,371 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,574,000. The Ensign Group makes up 2.0% of LRT Capital Management LLC's holdings, making the stock its 13th largest holding.

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

The Ensign Group Stock Performance

ENSG stock traded up $2.25 on Thursday, reaching $147.04. 478,644 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 438,963. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $116.23 and a 12 month high of $158.45. 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 stock's fifty day moving average price is $129.63 and its 200 day moving average price is $135.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.45 billion, a PE ratio of 28.77, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.03.

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 Ensign Group had a return on equity of 17.07% and a net margin of 6.99%. The company had revenue of $1.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.17 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.30 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 16.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current fiscal 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 paid 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 payout ratio is 4.73%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on ENSG shares. Macquarie reduced their price objective on shares of The Ensign Group from $159.00 to $156.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $155.00 target price on shares of The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $163.50.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other The Ensign Group news, Director Daren Shaw sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total value of $259,320.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 26,325 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,413,299.50. This trade represents a 7.06% 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, 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 completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 30,052 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,881,215.80. This trade represents a 2.28% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

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.