National Health Investors, Inc. (NYSE:NHI) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

National Health Investors, Inc. (NYSE:NHI) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of November. As of November 30th, there was short interest totalling 2,220,000 shares, an increase of 53.1% from the November 15th total of 1,450,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 255,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 8.7 days. Approximately 5.1% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Institutional Trading of National Health Investors

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of NHI. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC purchased a new stake in National Health Investors in the second quarter worth about $28,000. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans acquired a new position in National Health Investors in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $2,426,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in National Health Investors during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $457,000. LSV Asset Management lifted its position in National Health Investors by 3.7% during the second quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 131,400 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $8,900,000 after purchasing an additional 4,700 shares during the period. Finally, ClariVest Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in National Health Investors in the second quarter valued at $2,465,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.51% of the company’s stock.

National Health Investors Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:NHI opened at $72.33 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.85, a P/E/G ratio of 5.05 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 10.29 and a quick ratio of 10.29. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $77.18 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $75.32. National Health Investors has a 1-year low of $51.59 and a 1-year high of $86.13.

National Health Investors (NYSE:NHI) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 5th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.65 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.07 by ($0.42). The company had revenue of $63.32 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $67.93 million. National Health Investors had a return on equity of 10.11% and a net margin of 38.53%. National Health Investors’s revenue was up 1.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.08 EPS. Research analysts expect that National Health Investors will post 4.42 EPS for the current fiscal year.

National Health Investors Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 29th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be given a dividend of $0.90 per share. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.98%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 31st. National Health Investors’s dividend payout ratio is 123.71%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently issued reports on NHI shares. Truist Financial raised their target price on National Health Investors from $65.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, August 30th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered National Health Investors from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $81.00 to $86.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. Bank of America started coverage on National Health Investors in a report on Tuesday, September 24th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $92.00 price objective for the company. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of National Health Investors from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $76.33.

About National Health Investors

Incorporated in 1991, National Health Investors, Inc (NYSE:NHI) is a real estate investment trust specializing in sale, leasebacks, joint-ventures, senior housing operating partnerships, and mortgage and mezzanine financing of need-driven and discretionary senior housing and medical investments. NHI's portfolio consists of independent living, assisted living and memory care communities, entrance-fee retirement communities, skilled nursing facilities, and specialty hospitals.