The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) Price Target Raised to $170.00 at Stephens

Key Points

• Stephens analysts increased the price target for The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $170.00, indicating a potential upside of 13.29% from the current stock price.
• Macquarie lowered its price target on the stock from $159.00 to $156.00 but maintained an "outperform" rating, while the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy."
• The Ensign Group reported $1.59 earnings per share for the last quarter, surpassing analysts' expectations, with year-over-year revenue growth of 18.5% to $1.23 billion.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Free Report) had its target price raised by Stephens from $165.00 to $170.00 in a research note issued to investors on Monday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the stock.

Separately, Macquarie reduced their price target on The Ensign Group from $159.00 to $156.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $167.67.

The Ensign Group Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of ENSG stock traded up $0.47 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $150.85. 258,345 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 431,397. The Ensign Group has a 12 month low of $118.73 and a 12 month high of $158.45. The company has a market cap of $8.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a quick ratio of 1.41, a current ratio of 1.41 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The company's 50-day moving average price is $147.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $137.72.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.54 by $0.05. The Ensign Group had a return on equity of 16.92% and a net margin of 6.99%. The firm had revenue of $1.23 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.22 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.32 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 18.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that The Ensign Group will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 31st. Investors of record on Monday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.0625 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 30th. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.2%. The Ensign Group's payout ratio is 4.54%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other The Ensign Group news, Director Daren Shaw sold 1,999 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $145.47, for a total transaction of $290,794.53. Following the sale, the director directly owned 24,926 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,625,985.22. This trade represents a 7.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Beverly B. Wittekind sold 4,719 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.00, for a total value of $731,445.00. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 38,679 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,995,245. This represents a 10.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 19,336 shares of company stock valued at $2,902,377. Insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 23.2% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 8,298 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,074,000 after purchasing an additional 1,564 shares during the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,825 shares of the company's stock worth $754,000 after buying an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. KBC Group NV increased its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 10.7% in the 1st quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 2,506 shares of the company's stock worth $324,000 after buying an additional 243 shares during the last quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System lifted its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 36,529 shares of the company's stock worth $4,727,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group in the 1st quarter worth about $343,000. Institutional investors own 96.12% of the company's stock.

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.