The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Shares Sold by Russell Investments Group Ltd.

Russell Investments Group Ltd. lowered its holdings in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) by 11.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 72,345 shares of the company's stock after selling 9,342 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned approximately 0.13% of The Ensign Group worth $8,118,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in ENSG. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in The Ensign Group by 11.4% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 295,716 shares of the company's stock worth $27,481,000 after acquiring an additional 30,184 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 24.9% in the 3rd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 201,143 shares of the company's stock worth $18,692,000 after purchasing an additional 40,050 shares during the period. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 8.0% during the 3rd quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 12,376 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,150,000 after purchasing an additional 914 shares in the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG increased its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 17.4% during the third quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 31,050 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,885,000 after buying an additional 4,593 shares during the period. Finally, Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC bought a new position in The Ensign Group in the third quarter worth about $2,520,000. 96.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. Oppenheimer lifted their price objective on The Ensign Group from $130.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday. Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $135.00 price objective on shares of The Ensign Group in a research report on Tuesday, April 23rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price 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. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, The Ensign Group currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $124.60.

Insider Activity at The Ensign Group

In other news, Director Daren Shaw sold 4,463 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 $3,836,460. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other The Ensign Group news, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 10,800 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.56, for a total transaction of $1,269,648.00. Following the transaction, the chairman now owns 147,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,328,344. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Daren Shaw sold 4,463 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated 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 directly owns 32,250 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,836,460. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 31,263 shares of company stock valued at $3,735,086. 3.90% of the stock is owned by insiders.

The Ensign Group Stock Down 1.6 %

The Ensign Group stock traded down $1.86 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $116.09. The company had a trading volume of 274,955 shares, compared to its average volume of 274,810. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $87.14 and a 12 month high of $127.57. The company has a market capitalization of $6.61 billion, a PE ratio of 30.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.95. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $120.91 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $114.81. The company has a current ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09.

The Ensign Group Cuts Dividend

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

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.