National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Hits New 1-Year High – Time to Buy?

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC)’s share price hit a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $222.13 and last traded at $222.39, with a volume of 2580 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $210.79.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NHC has been the subject of several analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. BMO Capital Markets upgraded National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upgraded National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Buy”.

National HealthCare Price Performance

The stock has a market cap of $3.56 billion, a PE ratio of 28.99 and a beta of 0.63. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $200.20 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $172.22.

National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 7th. The company reported $1.91 EPS for the quarter. National HealthCare had a return on equity of 9.98% and a net margin of 8.10%.The company had revenue of $381.82 million for the quarter.

National HealthCare Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 30th will be paid a $0.67 dividend. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 30th. This is a positive change from National HealthCare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.64. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio is presently 61.89%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Lisa Piercey bought 949 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 1st. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $184.26 per share, for a total transaction of $174,862.74. Following the transaction, the director owned 949 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $174,862.74. The trade was a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 13.92% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National HealthCare

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Handelsbanken Fonder AB bought a new position in National HealthCare during the second quarter valued at $761,000. Baron Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of National HealthCare during the 2nd quarter valued at about $266,000. Militia Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of National HealthCare during the 1st quarter valued at about $2,827,000. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 65.9% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 27,513 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,394,000 after acquiring an additional 10,930 shares during the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 28.5% in the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 311 shares of the company’s stock valued at $50,000 after acquiring an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 56.44% of the company’s stock.

About National HealthCare

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSE American: NHC) is a healthcare services company specializing in long-term care and post-acute rehabilitation. The company operates skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and outpatient therapy clinics. Through its subsidiary, National HealthCare Partners, NHC provides contract rehabilitation services, pharmacy management and clinical consulting to a broad network of senior living and healthcare providers.

Headquartered in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, National HealthCare Corporation has built a regional footprint across the southeastern and south-central United States.