Zacks Research Issues Positive Estimate for ENSG Earnings

The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) – Analysts at Zacks Research raised their Q1 2025 earnings estimates for shares of The Ensign Group in a report issued on Wednesday, February 19th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the company will post earnings per share of $1.37 for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $1.33. The consensus estimate for The Ensign Group’s current full-year earnings is $5.59 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for The Ensign Group’s Q2 2025 earnings at $1.38 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $1.50 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $5.66 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $1.57 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $1.48 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $1.62 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $6.21 EPS.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.47 by ($0.11). The Ensign Group had a net margin of 6.99% and a return on equity of 17.07%.

Several other research analysts have also recently commented on ENSG. Truist Financial decreased their target price on shares of The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 6th. UBS Group began coverage on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, November 21st. They issued a “buy” rating and a $175.00 target price for the company. Macquarie raised their target price on shares of The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $155.00 target price on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, February 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $165.17.

The Ensign Group Stock Performance

Shares of ENSG opened at $135.90 on Monday. The Ensign Group has a one year low of $113.27 and a one year high of $158.45. The company has a 50-day moving average of $134.30 and a two-hundred day moving average of $142.84. The stock has a market cap of $7.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.59, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.56.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On The Ensign Group

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Wasatch Advisors LP raised its position in The Ensign Group by 4.8% during the fourth quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 3,497,137 shares of the company’s stock valued at $464,630,000 after acquiring an additional 159,691 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC raised its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 4.3% in the fourth quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,082,647 shares of the company’s stock valued at $276,701,000 after purchasing an additional 86,676 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 5.1% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,363,822 shares of the company’s stock valued at $196,181,000 after purchasing an additional 66,314 shares during the period. Crewe Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 0.9% in the third quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 1,110,692 shares of the company’s stock valued at $159,740,000 after purchasing an additional 10,221 shares during the period. Finally, Baillie Gifford & Co. bought a new position in shares of The Ensign Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $151,827,000. Institutional investors own 96.12% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at The Ensign Group

In related news, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.52, for a total transaction of $5,805,052.72. Following the transaction, the chairman now owns 12,539 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,862,292.28. This trade represents a 75.71 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Daren Shaw sold 2,000 shares of the firm’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 transaction of $259,320.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 26,325 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,413,299.50. The trade was a 7.06 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 42,486 shares of company stock valued at $6,254,710 over the last three months. 3.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were given a $0.0625 dividend. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.18%. This is a positive change from The Ensign Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. The Ensign Group’s dividend payout ratio is 4.89%.

About The Ensign Group

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.