The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Stake Lifted by Wasatch Advisors LP

Wasatch Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) by 4.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 3,497,137 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 159,691 shares during the period. The Ensign Group accounts for about 2.3% of Wasatch Advisors LP's holdings, making the stock its 6th largest position. Wasatch Advisors LP owned about 6.09% of The Ensign Group worth $464,630,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC acquired a new position in The Ensign Group in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in The Ensign Group by 190.1% in the 4th quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 206 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC increased its position in The Ensign Group by 150.6% in the fourth quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 208 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the period. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 38.8% during the fourth quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 354 shares of the company's stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Asset Planning Inc acquired a new position in shares of The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter valued at $80,000. Institutional investors own 96.12% of the company's stock.

The Ensign Group Price Performance

ENSG traded down $7.69 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $120.29. The stock had a trading volume of 119,963 shares, compared to its average volume of 426,657. The company has a market cap of $6.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.91. The business has a fifty day moving average of $128.90 and a 200 day moving average of $137.58. 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, Inc. has a 1 year low of $113.27 and a 1 year high of $158.45.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.47 by ($0.11). The Ensign Group had a net margin of 6.99% and a return on equity of 17.07%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st will be given a $0.0625 dividend. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.21%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. The Ensign Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 4.89%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.15, for a total transaction of $90,405.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 30,052 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,881,215.80. The trade was a 2.28 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Daren Shaw sold 2,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total transaction of $259,320.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 26,325 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,413,299.50. This represents a 7.06 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 42,486 shares of company stock worth $6,251,714 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on ENSG shares. Truist Financial cut their price objective on The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 6th. Macquarie upped their price objective on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Stephens reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $155.00 target price on shares of The Ensign Group in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $165.17.

About The Ensign Group

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.