National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Shares Gap Down - Should You Sell?

Key Points

• National HealthCare shares opened sharply lower, falling from a prior close of $219.84 to $209.33 before recovering to about $222.03 in trading.
• Analyst sentiment is positive: two firms rate NHC “Strong Buy” and two rate it “Hold,” producing a consensus rating of “Buy.”
• The company reported quarterly EPS of $1.74 on $408.03 million in revenue and declared a $0.67-per-share quarterly dividend, equivalent to a 1.2% yield and a 61.89% payout ratio.

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC - Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $219.84, but opened at $209.33. National HealthCare shares last traded at $222.0310, with a volume of 24,417 shares traded.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have commented on NHC. BMO Capital Markets upgraded National HealthCare to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Robert W. Baird raised National HealthCare to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised National HealthCare to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, May 18th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised National HealthCare to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, May 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, National HealthCare presently has a consensus rating of "Buy".

National HealthCare Trading Up 1.2%

The stock has a market capitalization of $3.48 billion, a PE ratio of 25.04 and a beta of 0.61. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $211.87 and a 200-day moving average price of $183.94.

National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The company reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter. National HealthCare had a return on equity of 10.03% and a net margin of 9.00%.The company had revenue of $408.03 million during the quarter.

National HealthCare Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 30th will be given a dividend of $0.67 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 30th. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. National HealthCare's dividend payout ratio is presently 61.89%.

Insider Buying and Selling at National HealthCare

In other National HealthCare news, Director Lisa Piercey acquired 949 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 1st. The shares were purchased at an average price of $184.26 per share, for a total transaction of $174,862.74. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 949 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $174,862.74. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 13.92% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of National HealthCare

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Mariner LLC grew its position in shares of National HealthCare by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 6,839 shares of the company's stock valued at $938,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in National HealthCare by 28.5% in the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 311 shares of the company's stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its position in National HealthCare by 1.2% during the first quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 6,048 shares of the company's stock valued at $966,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC lifted its position in National HealthCare by 3.3% during the fourth quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 2,466 shares of the company's stock valued at $338,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its holdings in National HealthCare by 1.2% during the first quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 7,969 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,275,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the period. 56.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

National HealthCare Company Profile

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSE American: NHC) is a healthcare services company specializing in long-term care and post-acute rehabilitation. The company operates skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and outpatient therapy clinics. Through its subsidiary, National HealthCare Partners, NHC provides contract rehabilitation services, pharmacy management and clinical consulting to a broad network of senior living and healthcare providers.

Headquartered in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, National HealthCare Corporation has built a regional footprint across the southeastern and south-central United States.

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