National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) Rating Increased to Strong-Buy at StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report report published on Saturday.

National HealthCare Trading Up 0.5 %

NYSE NHC opened at $124.58 on Friday. National HealthCare has a one year low of $75.46 and a one year high of $138.49. The firm has a market cap of $1.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.61 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a current ratio of 1.80. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $123.57 and a 200-day simple moving average of $118.60.

National HealthCare Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 30th will be issued a $0.61 dividend. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 30th. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.58%.

Insider Activity at National HealthCare

In other news, SVP Brian F. Kidd sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.01, for a total transaction of $260,020.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 21,747 shares in the company, valued at $2,827,327.47. This represents a 8.42 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 13.75% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NHC. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its stake in National HealthCare by 35.5% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 313 shares of the company’s stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of National HealthCare by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 3,426 shares of the company’s stock worth $373,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System increased its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 6,800 shares of the company’s stock worth $737,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can boosted its position in shares of National HealthCare by 2.6% during the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 3,903 shares of the company’s stock worth $423,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, WINTON GROUP Ltd raised its stake in National HealthCare by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd now owns 9,719 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,054,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. 56.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

National HealthCare Company Profile

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.