New Age Alpha Advisors LLC Takes Position in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

New Age Alpha Advisors LLC bought a new stake in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 12,411 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,649,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of ENSG. Cerity Partners LLC lifted its holdings in The Ensign Group by 164.9% during the 3rd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 4,442 shares of the company’s stock worth $639,000 after buying an additional 2,765 shares during the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its stake in The Ensign Group by 105.1% during the third quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 66,691 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,592,000 after purchasing an additional 34,172 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in The Ensign Group by 42.3% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,995,971 shares of the company’s stock valued at $287,061,000 after purchasing an additional 593,779 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its stake in The Ensign Group by 23.1% in the third quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 39,419 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,669,000 after purchasing an additional 7,400 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank raised its holdings in The Ensign Group by 2.5% during the third quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 13,427 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,931,000 after purchasing an additional 331 shares in the last quarter. 96.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

The Ensign Group Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of NASDAQ ENSG opened at $128.74 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.40 billion, a PE ratio of 25.19, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $132.31 and a 200-day moving average of $140.00. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $113.27 and a 52-week high of $158.45.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share 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%. On average, analysts anticipate that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current year.

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Shareholders 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 yield of 0.19%. The Ensign Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 4.89%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

Insider Buying and Selling at The Ensign Group

In related news, Director Daren Shaw sold 2,000 shares of The Ensign Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total value of $259,320.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 26,325 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,413,299.50. This trade represents a 7.06 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.48, for a total value of $96,936.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 30,752 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,258,536.96. This represents a 2.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 43,186 shares of company stock valued at $6,345,115 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 3.90% of the company’s stock.

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.