National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Sets New 12-Month High – Should You Buy?

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $234.17 and last traded at $234.17, with a volume of 95811 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $228.20.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

National HealthCare Trading Up 1.2%

The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $215.81 and a 200-day simple moving average of $187.10. The company has a market capitalization of $3.71 billion, a PE ratio of 26.63 and a beta of 0.61.

National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The company reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $408.03 million for the quarter. National HealthCare had a return on equity of 10.03% and a net margin of 9.00%.

National HealthCare Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.67 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 30th. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 61.89%.

Insider Activity at National HealthCare

In related news, CEO Stephen Fowler Flatt sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $237.08, for a total value of $355,620.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 65,487 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $15,525,657.96. This trade represents a 2.24% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Lisa Piercey purchased 949 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 1st. The shares were bought at an average price of $184.26 per share, for a total transaction of $174,862.74. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 949 shares in the company, valued at $174,862.74. This represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. 13.92% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National HealthCare

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in 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 buying an additional 950 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in National HealthCare by 1.7% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 16,080 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,492,000 after buying an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 3.1% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 9,247 shares of the company’s stock worth $858,000 after acquiring an additional 281 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 7.1% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 73,772 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,846,000 after acquiring an additional 4,879 shares during 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 first 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. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 56.44% of the company’s stock.

About National HealthCare

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.