Algert Global LLC Makes New $10.29 Million Investment in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Algert Global LLC purchased a new position in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm purchased 77,415 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,285,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Synovus Financial Corp grew its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 90.2% during the third quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 14,618 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,102,000 after buying an additional 6,931 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 26.1% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 379,608 shares of the company’s stock valued at $54,595,000 after purchasing an additional 78,570 shares during the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of The Ensign Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,099,000. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH raised its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 10.0% during the fourth quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 130,047 shares of the company’s stock worth $17,278,000 after purchasing an additional 11,830 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fox Run Management L.L.C. lifted its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 339.6% during the fourth quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. now owns 10,305 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,369,000 after purchasing an additional 7,961 shares during the period. 96.12% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

The Ensign Group Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ ENSG opened at $132.32 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 1.56. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a one year low of $115.38 and a one year high of $158.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.89, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.91. The company’s fifty day moving average is $128.42 and its two-hundred day moving average is $136.22.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.52 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.50 by $0.02. The Ensign Group had a net margin of 6.99% and a return on equity of 17.07%. The firm had revenue of $1.17 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.17 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.30 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 16.1% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st were issued a dividend of $0.0625 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 31st. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.19%. The Ensign Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 4.73%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ENSG has been the topic of several recent research reports. Macquarie dropped their price objective on shares of The Ensign Group from $159.00 to $156.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $155.00 price target on shares of The Ensign Group in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, January 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, The Ensign Group presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $163.50.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other The Ensign Group news, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of The Ensign Group stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.52, for a total transaction of $5,805,052.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 12,539 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,862,292.28. The trade was a 75.71 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.15, for a total transaction of $90,405.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 30,052 shares in the company, valued at $3,881,215.80. This represents a 2.28 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 42,486 shares of company stock worth $6,251,714. 3.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About The Ensign Group

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.