Ellsworth Advisors LLC Buys Shares of 6,047 National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC)

Ellsworth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 6,047 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $650,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of NHC. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of National HealthCare by 35.5% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 313 shares of the company’s stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the period. Copeland Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in National HealthCare during the third quarter valued at approximately $62,000. Reliant Investment Management LLC bought a new position in National HealthCare in the third quarter worth approximately $203,000. Ballentine Partners LLC purchased a new stake in National HealthCare in the third quarter worth about $223,000. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP bought a new position in shares of National HealthCare in the second quarter worth about $228,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 56.44% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded National HealthCare from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 16th.

Insider Transactions at National HealthCare

In other National HealthCare news, insider Health Corp National sold 28,147 shares of National HealthCare stock in a transaction on Friday, December 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.71, for a total value of $3,200,595.37. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,056,616 shares in the company, valued at approximately $120,147,805.36. The trade was a 2.59 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Timothy J. Shelly sold 614 shares of the firm’s 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. Corporate insiders own 13.75% of the company’s stock.

National HealthCare Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of NHC stock opened at $98.65 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.77. National HealthCare Co. has a one year low of $87.03 and a one year high of $138.49. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $115.32 and its 200-day moving average price is $121.75. The company has a market capitalization of $1.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.36 and a beta of 0.46.

National HealthCare Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 30th will be given a $0.61 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 30th. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.47%. National HealthCare’s payout ratio is 30.58%.

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.