Cerity Partners LLC Buys 5,115 Shares of National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC)

Cerity Partners LLC grew its stake in National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC) by 28.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 22,879 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 5,115 shares during the quarter. Cerity Partners LLC owned 0.15% of National HealthCare worth $2,123,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in National HealthCare in the first quarter worth $655,000. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its holdings in National HealthCare by 42.4% in the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 23,816 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,562,000 after acquiring an additional 7,088 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in National HealthCare by 10.6% in the fourth quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 32,141 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,457,000 after acquiring an additional 3,084 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in National HealthCare by 2.6% in the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 65,410 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,070,000 after acquiring an additional 1,671 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can boosted its holdings in National HealthCare by 48.7% in the fourth quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 5,684 shares of the company’s stock worth $611,000 after acquiring an additional 1,861 shares in the last quarter. 56.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Wall Street Zen raised National HealthCare from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, May 12th.

National HealthCare Trading Down 1.3%

Shares of NYSE:NHC opened at $97.44 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $1.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.21 and a beta of 0.55. 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 1 year low of $89.14 and a 1 year high of $138.49. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $104.59 and its 200-day moving average price is $98.84.

National HealthCare Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.64 per share. This is an increase from National HealthCare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. This represents a $2.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.63%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 30th. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio is presently 36.99%.

National HealthCare 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.