Ritholtz Wealth Management Trims Stock Position in National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC)

Ritholtz Wealth Management cut its holdings in shares of National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC) by 70.5% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,858 shares of the company’s stock after selling 6,843 shares during the quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management’s holdings in National HealthCare were worth $265,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its position in National HealthCare by 396.3% during the fourth quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 268 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 214 shares during the period. Sterling Capital Management LLC lifted its position in National HealthCare by 809.1% during the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 400 shares of the company’s stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 356 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP lifted its position in National HealthCare by 378.0% during the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 564 shares of the company’s stock worth $61,000 after buying an additional 446 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC purchased a new position in National HealthCare during the fourth quarter worth about $83,000. Finally, State of Wyoming purchased a new position in National HealthCare during the fourth quarter worth about $93,000. 56.44% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Wall Street Zen upgraded National HealthCare from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, May 12th.

National HealthCare Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:NHC opened at $104.86 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.62 billion, a PE ratio of 13.14 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.77. The business has a 50-day moving average of $100.41 and a two-hundred day moving average of $100.64. National HealthCare Co. has a 12 month low of $89.14 and a 12 month high of $138.49.

National HealthCare Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.64 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 30th. This is a positive change from National HealthCare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. This represents a $2.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.44%. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio is currently 36.99%.

About National HealthCare

National HealthCare Corporation engages in the operation of services to skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, homecare and hospice agencies, and health hospitals. Its skilled nursing facilities offer licensed therapy services, nutrition services, social services, activities, and housekeeping and laundry services, as well as medical services prescribed by physicians; and rehabilitative services, such as physical, speech, respiratory, and occupational therapy for patients recovering from strokes, heart attacks, orthopedic conditions, neurological illnesses, or other illnesses, injuries, or disabilities.