The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Shares Bought by D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc.

D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. increased its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) by 64.6% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 174,844 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 68,619 shares during the period. D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. owned approximately 0.30% of The Ensign Group worth $23,230,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of ENSG. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC acquired a new position in The Ensign Group during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in The Ensign Group by 190.1% in the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 206 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in The Ensign Group by 150.6% in the fourth quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 208 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in The Ensign Group by 38.8% in the fourth quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 354 shares of the company's stock valued at $47,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Asset Planning Inc acquired a new stake in The Ensign Group in the fourth quarter valued at $80,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.12% of the company's stock.

The Ensign Group Trading Up 1.6%

NASDAQ ENSG traded up $2.25 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $147.04. 478,644 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 438,963. The business's 50 day moving average is $129.63 and its 200-day moving average is $135.69. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $116.23 and a 12-month high of $158.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 1.56.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.50 by $0.02. The Ensign Group had a return on equity of 17.07% and a net margin of 6.99%. The firm had revenue of $1.17 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.17 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.30 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 16.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st were paid a dividend of $0.0625 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 31st. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.17%. The Ensign Group's dividend payout ratio is presently 4.73%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Daren Shaw sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total value of $259,320.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 26,325 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,413,299.50. This trade represents a 7.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.15, for a total value of $90,405.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 30,052 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,881,215.80. This trade represents a 2.28% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ENSG has been the topic of several research reports. Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $155.00 target price on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Macquarie lowered their target price on The Ensign Group from $159.00 to $156.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $163.50.

The Ensign Group 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.