National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC) Stake Boosted by Principal Financial Group Inc.

Principal Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC) by 3.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 63,739 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 2,140 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned approximately 0.41% of National HealthCare worth $6,856,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Allworth Financial LP increased its position in National HealthCare by 378.0% in the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 564 shares of the company’s stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 446 shares during the last quarter. Meridian Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in National HealthCare in the third quarter worth approximately $229,000. Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new position in National HealthCare in the third quarter worth approximately $233,000. Hohimer Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in National HealthCare during the third quarter valued at approximately $274,000. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd acquired a new stake in National HealthCare in the third quarter valued at approximately $329,000. 56.44% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at National HealthCare

In other National HealthCare news, insider Health Corp National sold 28,147 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, December 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.71, for a total transaction of $3,200,595.37. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 1,056,616 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $120,147,805.36. The trade was a 2.59 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, VP Timothy J. Shelly sold 614 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $121.44, for a total transaction of $74,564.16. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 13.75% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com raised shares of National HealthCare from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 16th.

National HealthCare Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE NHC opened at $93.17 on Monday. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $100.86 and its 200-day simple moving average is $116.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a current ratio of 1.80. National HealthCare Co. has a 52 week low of $87.03 and a 52 week high of $138.49. The firm has a market cap of $1.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.68 and a beta of 0.45.

National HealthCare Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.61 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 28th. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.62%. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 37.31%.

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.