National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Stock Price Down 7.1% – Should You Sell?

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) fell 7.1% during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $182.01 and last traded at $182.01. 79,155 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 20% from the average session volume of 98,880 shares. The stock had previously closed at $196.00.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on NHC. 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. BMO Capital Markets upgraded National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Buy”.

National HealthCare Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $2.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.26 and a beta of 0.64. The business has a fifty day moving average of $172.68 and a two-hundred day moving average of $153.96.

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

National HealthCare Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 30th. This is a boost from National HealthCare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.64. National HealthCare’s payout ratio is presently 59.12%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mariner LLC grew its holdings in National HealthCare by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 6,839 shares of the company’s stock valued at $938,000 after buying an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in National HealthCare by 28.5% in the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 311 shares of the company’s stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its holdings in National HealthCare by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 6,048 shares of the company’s stock valued at $966,000 after buying an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC grew its holdings in National HealthCare by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 2,466 shares of the company’s stock valued at $338,000 after buying an additional 78 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its holdings in National HealthCare by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 7,969 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,275,000 after buying an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. 56.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.