National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) Rating Increased to Strong-Buy at StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC - Free Report) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report released on Monday morning.

National HealthCare Stock Performance

NHC traded up $2.03 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $108.61. The company's stock had a trading volume of 76,055 shares, compared to its average volume of 58,022. The company has a current ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. National HealthCare has a fifty-two week low of $89.14 and a fifty-two week high of $138.49. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $94.19 and a 200 day simple moving average of $104.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.68 billion, a PE ratio of 13.61 and a beta of 0.51.

National HealthCare Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 1st. Investors of record on Monday, June 30th will be issued a $0.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 30th. This represents a $2.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.36%. This is an increase from National HealthCare's previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. National HealthCare's dividend payout ratio is presently 36.99%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National HealthCare

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Barclays PLC boosted its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 345.6% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 21,063 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,649,000 after acquiring an additional 16,336 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 6.5% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 6,655 shares of the company's stock valued at $806,000 after buying an additional 409 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in National HealthCare by 6.0% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 43,073 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,417,000 after buying an additional 2,419 shares in the last quarter. Ellsworth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in National HealthCare during the fourth quarter worth about $650,000. Finally, Inspire Investing LLC raised its position in National HealthCare by 10.5% in the fourth quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 4,092 shares of the company's stock worth $440,000 after acquiring an additional 390 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 56.44% of the company's stock.

About National HealthCare

National HealthCare Corporation engages in the operation of services to skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, homecare and hospice agencies, and health hospitals. Its skilled nursing facilities offer licensed therapy services, nutrition services, social services, activities, and housekeeping and laundry services, as well as medical services prescribed by physicians; and rehabilitative services, such as physical, speech, respiratory, and occupational therapy for patients recovering from strokes, heart attacks, orthopedic conditions, neurological illnesses, or other illnesses, injuries, or disabilities.