Short Interest in National Health Investors, Inc. (NYSE:NHI) Increases By 34.0%

National Health Investors, Inc. (NYSE:NHI - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of May. As of May 31st, there was short interest totalling 2,010,000 shares, an increase of 34.0% from the May 15th total of 1,500,000 shares. Currently, 4.5% of the company's shares are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 262,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 7.7 days.

National Health Investors Trading Down 0.0%

NYSE NHI traded down $0.02 during trading on Friday, hitting $70.83. The stock had a trading volume of 588,310 shares, compared to its average volume of 243,449. National Health Investors has a one year low of $65.13 and a one year high of $86.13. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $73.68 and a 200 day simple moving average of $71.76. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.48, a P/E/G ratio of 4.26 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 16.55 and a current ratio of 16.55.

National Health Investors (NYSE:NHI - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.15 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.13 by $0.02. National Health Investors had a return on equity of 10.64% and a net margin of 41.15%. The company had revenue of $68.87 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $85.13 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.10 EPS. National Health Investors's quarterly revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that National Health Investors will post 4.41 earnings per share for the current year.

National Health Investors Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be paid a $0.90 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 30th. This represents a $3.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.08%. National Health Investors's dividend payout ratio is currently 114.29%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National Health Investors

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of NHI. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of National Health Investors in the first quarter valued at approximately $598,000. Intech Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of National Health Investors by 21.8% in the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 28,578 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $2,111,000 after buying an additional 5,117 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC grew its position in shares of National Health Investors by 1,728.4% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 69,697 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock worth $5,148,000 after buying an additional 65,885 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC increased its stake in shares of National Health Investors by 9.6% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 249,937 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $18,460,000 after buying an additional 21,851 shares during the period. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of National Health Investors by 28.7% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 1,546 shares of the real estate investment trust's stock valued at $114,000 after buying an additional 345 shares during the period. 62.51% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on NHI shares. Truist Financial lifted their target price on National Health Investors from $76.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, June 9th. Wedbush restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $88.00 price target on shares of National Health Investors in a research report on Monday, March 17th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $85.75.

About National Health Investors

Incorporated in 1991, National Health Investors, Inc NYSE: NHI is a real estate investment trust specializing in sale, leasebacks, joint-ventures, senior housing operating partnerships, and mortgage and mezzanine financing of need-driven and discretionary senior housing and medical investments. NHI's portfolio consists of independent living, assisted living and memory care communities, entrance-fee retirement communities, skilled nursing facilities, and specialty hospitals.