The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Shares Sold by Los Angeles Capital Management LLC

Los Angeles Capital Management LLC cut its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) by 22.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 32,654 shares of the company's stock after selling 9,321 shares during the quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC owned approximately 0.06% of The Ensign Group worth $3,664,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Van Berkom & Associates Inc. raised its position in The Ensign Group by 13.8% during the third quarter. Van Berkom & Associates Inc. now owns 1,000,973 shares of the company's stock worth $93,020,000 after acquiring an additional 121,432 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its stake in The Ensign Group by 8.4% in the 3rd quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 788,500 shares of the company's stock valued at $73,275,000 after acquiring an additional 61,127 shares during the period. FMR LLC lifted its holdings in The Ensign Group by 3.2% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 750,388 shares of the company's stock valued at $69,734,000 after purchasing an additional 23,215 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in The Ensign Group by 25.6% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 725,056 shares of the company's stock worth $67,379,000 after purchasing an additional 147,698 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 30.4% in the third quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 332,115 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,863,000 after purchasing an additional 77,511 shares during the last quarter. 96.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Daren Shaw sold 4,463 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, April 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.96, for a total value of $530,918.48. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 32,250 shares in the company, valued at $3,836,460. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 10,800 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.56, for a total transaction of $1,269,648.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 147,400 shares of the company's stock, valued at $17,328,344. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Daren Shaw sold 4,463 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, April 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.96, for a total transaction of $530,918.48. Following the sale, the director now owns 32,250 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,836,460. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 89,245 shares of company stock worth $10,579,862 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

The Ensign Group Price Performance

Shares of The Ensign Group stock traded down $0.84 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $116.05. 368,070 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 274,537. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $121.36 and its 200-day moving average price is $114.51. The stock has a market cap of $6.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.76, a PEG ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.95. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $87.14 and a 12 month high of $127.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.53.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 1st. The company reported $1.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates of $1.17. The Ensign Group had a return on equity of 17.60% and a net margin of 5.67%. The business had revenue of $980.38 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $975.13 million. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 4.97 earnings per share for the current year.

The Ensign Group Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Sunday, March 31st were issued a $0.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.21%. The Ensign Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6.32%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on ENSG shares. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of The Ensign Group from $112.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 6th. Oppenheimer increased their target price on The Ensign Group from $130.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday. Finally, Stephens restated an "overweight" rating and set a $135.00 price objective on shares of The Ensign Group in a research report on Tuesday, April 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, The Ensign Group has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $124.60.

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.