National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) Stock Rating Lowered by StockNews.com

StockNews.com lowered shares of National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Monday.

National HealthCare Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of NHC opened at $93.36 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.77, a current ratio of 1.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. National HealthCare has a 12-month low of $87.03 and a 12-month high of $138.49. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.44 billion, a PE ratio of 11.70 and a beta of 0.45. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $99.78 and its 200-day simple moving average is $115.75.

National HealthCare Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 28th will be paid a $0.61 dividend. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 28th. National HealthCare’s payout ratio is 37.31%.

Insider Buying and Selling at National HealthCare

In other National HealthCare news, insider Health Corp National sold 28,147 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.71, for a total value of $3,200,595.37. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 1,056,616 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $120,147,805.36. This represents a 2.59 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Timothy J. Shelly sold 614 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $121.44, for a total value of $74,564.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 13.75% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National HealthCare

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 396.3% in the fourth quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 268 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 214 shares in the last quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 809.1% in the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 400 shares of the company’s stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 356 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP increased its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 378.0% in the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 564 shares of the company’s stock worth $61,000 after acquiring an additional 446 shares in the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of National HealthCare in the fourth quarter worth about $83,000. Finally, State of Wyoming bought a new stake in shares of National HealthCare in the fourth quarter worth about $93,000. 56.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About National HealthCare

National HealthCare Corporation engages in the operation of services to skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, homecare and hospice agencies, and health hospitals. Its skilled nursing facilities offer licensed therapy services, nutrition services, social services, activities, and housekeeping and laundry services, as well as medical services prescribed by physicians; and rehabilitative services, such as physical, speech, respiratory, and occupational therapy for patients recovering from strokes, heart attacks, orthopedic conditions, neurological illnesses, or other illnesses, injuries, or disabilities.