The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) Sets New 1-Year High - Here's Why

Key Points

• The Ensign Group's stock reached a new 52-week high of $158.81 during trading, with the last recorded price at $158.47.
• Analysts have varying price targets, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $167.67, up from previous targets.
• The company reported a quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of $1.59, exceeding estimates, along with an 18.5% year-over-year revenue increase.

The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $158.81 and last traded at $158.47, with a volume of 46090 shares. The stock had previously closed at $157.92.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Truist Financial upped their price objective on The Ensign Group from $155.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, July 28th. Stephens upped their price objective on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, July 28th. Finally, Macquarie lowered their price objective on The Ensign Group from $159.00 to $156.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $167.67.

The Ensign Group Stock Up 0.9%

The stock has a market cap of $9.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.15, a PEG ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.02. 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 stock has a fifty day moving average of $149.44 and a two-hundred day moving average of $138.79.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The company reported $1.59 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 business 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 firm earned $1.32 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 18.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts predict that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 30th were issued a $0.0625 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 30th. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.2%. The Ensign Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 4.54%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other The Ensign Group news, CFO Suzanne D. Snapper sold 8,379 shares of The Ensign Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.21, for a total transaction of $1,241,851.59. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 269,692 shares in the company, valued at approximately $39,971,051.32. The trade was a 3.01% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Daren Shaw sold 1,999 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $145.47, for a total transaction of $290,794.53. Following the transaction, the director owned 24,926 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,625,985.22. This represents a 7.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 19,336 shares of company stock worth $2,902,377 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 3.90% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new stake in The Ensign Group during the second quarter worth about $28,000. Rise Advisors LLC grew its stake in The Ensign Group by 114.0% during the first quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 199 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. WPG Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group during the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. TCTC Holdings LLC grew its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 116.7% during the first quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC now owns 208 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Maseco LLP acquired a new position in The Ensign Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.