Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. Boosts Stock Holdings in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) by 1.0% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 732,166 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 7,110 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. owned 1.29% of The Ensign Group worth $82,156,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 11.4% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 295,716 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,481,000 after purchasing an additional 30,184 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers raised its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 24.9% during the 3rd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 201,143 shares of the company's stock worth $18,692,000 after buying an additional 40,050 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in The Ensign Group by 8.0% during the third quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 12,376 shares of the company's stock worth $1,150,000 after acquiring an additional 914 shares during the period. Deutsche Bank AG lifted its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 17.4% during the 3rd quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 31,050 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,885,000 after acquiring an additional 4,593 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DeDora Capital Inc. lifted its stake in The Ensign Group by 12.0% during the fourth quarter. DeDora Capital Inc. now owns 5,435 shares of the company's stock valued at $610,000 after buying an additional 583 shares in the last quarter. 96.12% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

The Ensign Group Stock Performance

Shares of ENSG traded up $0.40 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $118.14. The stock had a trading volume of 168,853 shares, compared to its average volume of 271,418. 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 firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $120.38 and a 200-day simple moving average of $115.56. The firm has a market cap of $6.72 billion, a PE ratio of 31.09, a P/E/G ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.95. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a one year low of $87.14 and a one year high of $127.57.

The Ensign Group Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Sunday, March 31st were given a $0.06 dividend. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.20%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 27th. The Ensign Group's payout ratio is currently 6.32%.

Insider Activity at The Ensign Group

In other The Ensign Group news, Director Daren Shaw sold 6,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.67, for a total transaction of $718,020.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 31,375 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,754,646.25. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Ann Scott Blouin sold 350 shares of The Ensign Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $116.47, for a total value of $40,764.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 20,002 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,329,632.94. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Daren Shaw sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $119.67, for a total transaction of $718,020.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 31,375 shares in the company, valued at $3,754,646.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 20,813 shares of company stock valued at $2,506,203 in the last quarter. Insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ENSG has been the topic of a number of research reports. Stephens reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $135.00 target price on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Tuesday, April 23rd. Oppenheimer increased 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, May 6th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on The Ensign Group from $112.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, The Ensign Group currently has a consensus 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.