The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Shares Sold by Legal & General Group Plc

Legal & General Group Plc cut its stake in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) by 0.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 119,500 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,127 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc’s holdings in The Ensign Group were worth $15,877,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $90,747,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in The Ensign Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $36,167,000. World Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in The Ensign Group in the third quarter worth approximately $21,744,000. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in The Ensign Group by 32.7% during the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 417,482 shares of the company’s stock worth $55,467,000 after acquiring an additional 102,782 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. increased its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 45.0% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 301,829 shares of the company’s stock valued at $40,101,000 after purchasing an additional 93,633 shares during the last quarter. 96.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

The Ensign Group Price Performance

Shares of ENSG opened at $129.94 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.56. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $113.27 and a 1-year high of $158.45. The stock has a market cap of $7.47 billion, a PE ratio of 25.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.91. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $129.14 and a 200 day moving average price of $138.05.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.47 by ($0.11). The Ensign Group had a net margin of 6.99% and a return on equity of 17.07%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current year.

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be issued a $0.0625 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 31st. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.19%. The Ensign Group’s payout ratio is 4.89%.

Insider Activity

In other The Ensign Group news, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of The Ensign Group stock in a transaction on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.15, for a total value of $90,405.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 30,052 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,881,215.80. The trade was a 2.28 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Daren Shaw sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total transaction of $259,320.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 26,325 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,413,299.50. This trade represents a 7.06 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 42,486 shares of company stock valued at $6,251,714 in the last ninety days. 3.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on shares of The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Macquarie lifted their price target on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $155.00 price objective on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, February 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, The Ensign Group has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $165.17.

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.