National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) Cut to “Buy” at StockNews.com

StockNews.com lowered shares of National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note released on Friday morning.

National HealthCare Stock Up 3.5 %

Shares of NHC opened at $134.43 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $2.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.85 and a beta of 0.41. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $123.72. National HealthCare has a 52-week low of $70.03 and a 52-week high of $138.49.

National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) last announced its earnings results on Friday, August 9th. The company reported $1.00 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $300.66 million for the quarter. National HealthCare had a return on equity of 6.39% and a net margin of 7.74%.

Insider Activity

In other National HealthCare news, SVP Brian F. Kidd sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.01, for a total value 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 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 13.75% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of National HealthCare

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of National HealthCare by 4.9% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,593,829 shares of the company’s stock worth $150,633,000 after purchasing an additional 74,911 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in National HealthCare by 3.2% in the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,022,033 shares of the company’s stock worth $110,788,000 after acquiring an additional 31,697 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of National HealthCare by 123.0% during the 2nd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 87,350 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,469,000 after purchasing an additional 48,182 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 30.3% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 64,688 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,136,000 after purchasing an additional 15,061 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of National HealthCare by 4,448.7% in the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 55,267 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,222,000 after purchasing an additional 54,052 shares during the last quarter. 56.44% of the stock is currently 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.