National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Stock Passes Above 200-Day Moving Average – Should You Sell?

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC)’s stock price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $158.61 and traded as high as $193.18. National HealthCare shares last traded at $192.12, with a volume of 142,535 shares.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

National HealthCare Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $3.00 billion, a PE ratio of 24.41 and a beta of 0.64. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $178.48 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $158.61.

National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 7th. The company reported $1.91 earnings per share for the quarter. National HealthCare had a return on equity of 9.98% and a net margin of 8.10%.The business 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. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.67 per share. This is a positive change from National HealthCare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.64. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 30th. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.4%. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio is 59.12%.

Insider Buying and Selling at National HealthCare

In other National HealthCare news, Director Lisa Piercey acquired 949 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 1st. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $184.26 per share, with a total value of $174,862.74. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 949 shares in the company, valued at approximately $174,862.74. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 13.92% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of National HealthCare

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Mariner LLC increased its position in National HealthCare by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 6,839 shares of the company’s stock worth $938,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in National HealthCare by 28.5% during the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 311 shares of the company’s stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company increased its position in National HealthCare by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 6,048 shares of the company’s stock worth $966,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC increased its position in National HealthCare by 3.3% during the 4th quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 2,466 shares of the company’s stock worth $338,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its stake in National HealthCare by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 7,969 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,275,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 56.44% of the company’s stock.

National HealthCare Company Profile

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.