Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. Increases Stock Position in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Tocqueville Asset Management L.P. grew its stake in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) by 0.1% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 53,099 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 79 shares during the quarter. Tocqueville Asset Management L.P.’s holdings in The Ensign Group were worth $7,055,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in The Ensign Group by 190.1% during the 4th quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 206 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the period. Venturi Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in The Ensign Group by 150.6% during the 4th quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 208 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the period. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in The Ensign Group by 38.8% during the 4th quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 354 shares of the company’s stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the period. Finally, Asset Planning Inc purchased a new stake in The Ensign Group during the 4th quarter worth $80,000. 96.12% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

The Ensign Group Stock Performance

Shares of ENSG stock opened at $129.59 on Wednesday. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $113.27 and a 12 month high of $158.45. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $7.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.36, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.98. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $133.02 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $141.19.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last issued 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 return on equity of 17.07% and a net margin of 6.99%. On average, research analysts anticipate that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Daren Shaw sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated 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 represents a 7.06 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.43, for a total transaction of $93,401.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 30,852 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,116,582.36. This trade represents a 2.22 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 43,186 shares of company stock worth $6,345,115. 3.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.