National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Hits New 1-Year High – Should You Buy?

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $215.76 and last traded at $212.71, with a volume of 99034 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $211.36.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. BMO Capital Markets upgraded National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upgraded National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, National HealthCare presently has a consensus rating of “Buy”.

National HealthCare Stock Performance

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $189.78 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $165.99. The firm has a market cap of $3.32 billion, a PE ratio of 27.03 and a beta of 0.63.

National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 7th. The company reported $1.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. National HealthCare had a return on equity of 9.98% and a net margin of 8.10%.The firm had revenue of $381.82 million during the quarter.

National HealthCare Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 30th. This is a positive change from National HealthCare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.64. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 61.89%.

Insider Buying and Selling at National HealthCare

In other National HealthCare news, Director Lisa Piercey acquired 949 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 1st. The shares were purchased at an average price of $184.26 per share, for a total transaction of $174,862.74. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 949 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $174,862.74. The trade was a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 13.92% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National HealthCare

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of NHC. M Holdings Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of National HealthCare in the third quarter worth about $56,283,000. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in National HealthCare by 38.6% during the fourth quarter. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,038,787 shares of the company’s stock valued at $142,407,000 after acquiring an additional 289,566 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its holdings in National HealthCare by 556.4% in the third quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 207,483 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,211,000 after acquiring an additional 175,873 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its holdings in National HealthCare by 407.2% in the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 75,257 shares of the company’s stock valued at $12,019,000 after acquiring an additional 60,420 shares during the period. Finally, Eversept Partners LP purchased a new stake in National HealthCare in the 4th quarter worth approximately $3,918,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 56.44% of the company’s stock.

About National HealthCare

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSE American: NHC) is a healthcare services company specializing in long-term care and post-acute rehabilitation. The company operates skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and outpatient therapy clinics. Through its subsidiary, National HealthCare Partners, NHC provides contract rehabilitation services, pharmacy management and clinical consulting to a broad network of senior living and healthcare providers.

Headquartered in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, National HealthCare Corporation has built a regional footprint across the southeastern and south-central United States.