National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) Stock Rating Upgraded by StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note published on Saturday morning.

National HealthCare Price Performance

Shares of NYSE NHC opened at $125.86 on Friday. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $1.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.33 and a beta of 0.41. National HealthCare has a 1-year low of $73.96 and a 1-year high of $138.49. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $123.50.

National HealthCare Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 30th will be given a $0.61 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 30th. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.94%. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio is presently 30.58%.

Insider Buying and Selling at National HealthCare

In other National HealthCare news, SVP Brian F. Kidd sold 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.01, for a total transaction of $260,020.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 21,747 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,827,327.47. This trade represents a 8.42 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 13.75% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of National HealthCare

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in NHC. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in National HealthCare by 35.5% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 313 shares of the company’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of National HealthCare by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 3,426 shares of the company’s stock worth $373,000 after buying an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System lifted its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 1.5% in the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 6,800 shares of the company’s stock valued at $737,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 2.6% in the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 3,903 shares of the company’s stock valued at $423,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, WINTON GROUP Ltd boosted its stake in National HealthCare by 1.1% during the second quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd now owns 9,719 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,054,000 after buying an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. 56.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.