The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) Sets New 12-Month High on Analyst Upgrade

The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)’s share price reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday after UBS Group raised their price target on the stock from $195.00 to $205.00. UBS Group currently has a buy rating on the stock. The Ensign Group traded as high as $174.98 and last traded at $173.71, with a volume of 29605 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $171.78.

Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Stephens increased their price objective on The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, July 28th. Truist Financial increased their price objective on The Ensign Group from $155.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, July 28th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $172.67.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $153.48, for a total value of $107,436.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 27,852 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,274,724.96. This trade represents a 2.45% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP Beverly B. Wittekind sold 4,719 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.00, for a total value of $731,445.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 38,679 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,995,245. This represents a 10.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 13,798 shares of company stock valued at $2,080,733 in the last three months. 3.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On The Ensign Group

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ENSG. Norges Bank purchased a new position in The Ensign Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $105,400,000. Crow s Nest Holdings LP purchased a new position in The Ensign Group during the first quarter worth $56,936,000. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in The Ensign Group by 1,235.5% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 468,575 shares of the company’s stock worth $60,634,000 after buying an additional 433,489 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in The Ensign Group by 14,683.7% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 338,252 shares of the company’s stock worth $43,770,000 after buying an additional 335,964 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Voya Investment Management LLC increased its position in The Ensign Group by 1,546.6% during the first quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 273,489 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,389,000 after buying an additional 256,880 shares in the last quarter. 96.12% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

The Ensign Group Stock Up 0.4%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a current ratio of 1.41 and a quick ratio of 1.41. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $155.12 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $142.56. The company has a market cap of $9.95 billion, a PE ratio of 31.31, a P/E/G ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 0.93.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.54 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $1.23 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.22 billion. The Ensign Group had a return on equity of 16.92% and a net margin of 6.99%.The Ensign Group’s revenue was up 18.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.32 earnings per share. The Ensign Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.340-6.460 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 30th were given a dividend of $0.0625 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 30th. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.1%. The Ensign Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.54%.

The Ensign Group Company Profile

The Ensign Group, Inc provides skilled nursing, senior living, and rehabilitative services. It operates through two segments: Skilled Services and Standard Bearer. The company's Skilled Services segment engages in the operation of skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation therapy services for patients with chronic conditions, prolonged illness, and the elderly; and offers nursing facilities including specialty care, such as on-site dialysis, ventilator care, cardiac, and pulmonary management, as well as standard services comprising room and board, special nutritional programs, social services, recreational activities, entertainment, and other services.