Dana Investment Advisors Inc. Sells 104 Shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Dana Investment Advisors Inc. lowered its position in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) by 0.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 13,757 shares of the company’s stock after selling 104 shares during the period. Dana Investment Advisors Inc.’s holdings in The Ensign Group were worth $1,828,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC bought a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in The Ensign Group by 190.1% during the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 206 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the period. Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in The Ensign Group by 150.6% during the fourth quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 208 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the period. Asset Planning Inc bought a new stake in The Ensign Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $80,000. Finally, South Dakota Investment Council bought a new stake in The Ensign Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $104,000. Institutional investors own 96.12% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ENSG has been the subject of several recent research reports. Truist Financial cut their price target on The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 6th. Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $155.00 price target on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Macquarie boosted their price target on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, UBS Group initiated coverage on The Ensign Group in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. They issued a “buy” rating and a $175.00 price objective for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $165.17.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.15, for a total value of $90,405.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 30,052 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,881,215.80. The trade was a 2.28 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Daren Shaw sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total value of $259,320.00. Following the sale, the director now 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 43,186 shares of company stock worth $6,345,115. Corporate insiders own 3.90% of the company’s stock.

The Ensign Group Stock Performance

NASDAQ ENSG opened at $130.33 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $7.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.50, a price-to-earnings-growth 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 business has a 50-day moving average price of $133.70 and a 200-day moving average price of $142.32. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $113.27 and a twelve month high of $158.45.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.36 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.47 by ($0.11). The Ensign Group had a return on equity of 17.07% and a net margin of 6.99%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st were given a $0.0625 dividend. This is an increase from The Ensign Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.19%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. The Ensign Group’s payout ratio is currently 4.89%.

The Ensign Group Company Profile

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.