Quantbot Technologies LP Raises Position in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Quantbot Technologies LP lifted its stake in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) by 48.4% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 32,865 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 10,717 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP’s holdings in The Ensign Group were worth $4,366,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of ENSG. CIBC Asset Management Inc acquired a new position in The Ensign Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $236,000. Natixis Advisors LLC increased its holdings in The Ensign Group by 1.7% in the third quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 16,169 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,325,000 after buying an additional 272 shares during the last quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in The Ensign Group by 229.3% in the third quarter. Mutual of America Capital Management LLC now owns 30,564 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,396,000 after buying an additional 21,283 shares during the last quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC raised its stake in The Ensign Group by 2.1% in the third quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC now owns 33,772 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,858,000 after buying an additional 698 shares in the last quarter. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings in The Ensign Group by 16.7% during the 3rd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 6,763 shares of the company’s stock worth $973,000 after buying an additional 969 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.12% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Ensign Group

In other news, Director Daren Shaw sold 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction 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 completion of 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 position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of The Ensign Group stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.15, for a total transaction of $90,405.00. Following the completion of 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 position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 43,186 shares of company stock worth $6,345,115. 3.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on ENSG. Truist Financial cut their target price on The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Stephens restated an “overweight” rating and set a $155.00 price objective on shares of The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Macquarie upped their target price on shares of The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $165.17.

The Ensign Group Stock Performance

Shares of The Ensign Group stock opened at $128.24 on Friday. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $132.85 and its 200-day simple moving average is $140.87. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $113.27 and a 12 month high of $158.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.10, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.56.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 net margin of 6.99% and a return on equity of 17.07%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current year.

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be given a dividend of $0.0625 per share. 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 payout ratio is 4.89%.

The Ensign Group 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.