National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Sets New 1-Year High – Here’s What Happened

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC)’s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $200.09 and last traded at $196.00, with a volume of 102066 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $196.30.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Robert W. Baird raised shares of National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday. Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised shares of National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Buy”.

National HealthCare Stock Down 0.2%

The firm has a market capitalization of $3.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.90 and a beta of 0.64. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $169.54 and its 200 day moving average is $151.83.

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

National HealthCare Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 30th will be given a $0.67 dividend. This is a boost from National HealthCare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.64. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 30th. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. National HealthCare’s payout ratio is currently 59.12%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National HealthCare

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in NHC. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in shares of National HealthCare by 53.6% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,724 shares of the company’s stock valued at $253,000 after acquiring an additional 950 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of National HealthCare by 1.7% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 16,080 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,492,000 after acquiring an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its position in shares of National HealthCare by 3.1% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 9,247 shares of the company’s stock valued at $858,000 after acquiring an additional 281 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of National HealthCare by 7.1% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 73,772 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,846,000 after acquiring an additional 4,879 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its position in shares of National HealthCare by 18.1% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 30,246 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,807,000 after acquiring an additional 4,628 shares in the last quarter. 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.