National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Reaches New 12-Month High - Time to Buy?

Key Points

• National HealthCare shares reached a new 52-week high of $247.94, up 3.6%, giving the company a market capitalization of approximately $3.88 billion.
• The company reported quarterly revenue of $408.03 million and earnings of $1.74 per share, while maintaining a quarterly dividend of $0.67 per share, or a 1.1% annual yield.
• Insiders sold approximately $4.0 million of stock over the past three months, even as institutional investors increased their positions; institutions now own 56.44% of the company.

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC - Get Free Report)'s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday. The stock traded as high as $247.94 and last traded at $247.94, with a volume of 128,475 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $239.24.

National HealthCare Stock Up 3.6%

The company has a market cap of $3.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.47 and a beta of 0.60. The company's fifty day moving average price is $226.70 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $206.75.

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

National HealthCare Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 30th. National HealthCare's payout ratio is currently 61.89%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other National HealthCare news, VP Vicki L. Dodson sold 4,834 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $225.00, for a total value of $1,087,650.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 10,726 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,413,350. This represents a 31.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Brian F. Kidd sold 6,813 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total value of $1,537,694.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 23,183 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,232,403.10. This represents a 22.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 17,645 shares of company stock worth $3,991,668 over the last three months. Insiders own 13.92% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National HealthCare

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of NHC. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of National HealthCare during the 2nd quarter worth $417,602,000. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in National HealthCare during the second quarter valued at approximately $217,391,000. First Trust Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 45.4% in the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 530,302 shares of the company's stock valued at $84,689,000 after purchasing an additional 165,615 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new stake in shares of National HealthCare during the 2nd quarter worth $25,854,000. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its position in National HealthCare by 407.2% in the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 75,257 shares of the company's stock valued at $12,019,000 after acquiring an additional 60,420 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 56.44% of the company's stock.

National HealthCare Company Profile

National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) is a provider of post-acute and senior healthcare services. The company operates skilled nursing centers, assisted living and memory care communities, and rehabilitation facilities. Its services are designed to support patients recovering from illness or injury, as well as older adults requiring long-term residential care.

NHC also provides home healthcare, hospice, and private-duty nursing services, allowing patients to receive medical and supportive care in their homes or in hospice settings.

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