Crestline Management LP Raises Position in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Crestline Management LP boosted its position in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) by 8.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,944 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 156 shares during the period. Crestline Management LP’s holdings in The Ensign Group were worth $258,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in ENSG. Norges Bank bought a new stake in The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter worth $90,747,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter worth $36,167,000. Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in The Ensign Group by 26.7% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 937,930 shares of the company’s stock worth $124,613,000 after acquiring an additional 197,865 shares during the last quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC bought a new stake in The Ensign Group in the 4th quarter worth $22,777,000. Finally, Wasatch Advisors LP grew its holdings in The Ensign Group by 4.8% in the 4th quarter. Wasatch Advisors LP now owns 3,497,137 shares of the company’s stock worth $464,630,000 after acquiring an additional 159,691 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 96.12% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.15, for a total transaction of $90,405.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 30,052 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $3,881,215.80. The trade was a 2.28% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Daren Shaw sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total transaction of $259,320.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 26,325 shares in the company, valued at $3,413,299.50. The trade was a 7.06% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 3.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

The Ensign Group Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of ENSG opened at $136.68 on Monday. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $128.85 and its 200-day moving average price is $135.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.75, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $116.23 and a 1-year high of $158.45.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.50 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $1.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.17 billion. The Ensign Group had a net margin of 6.99% and a return on equity of 17.07%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 16.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.30 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current year.

The Ensign Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 30th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st were paid a dividend of $0.0625 per share. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.18%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 31st. The Ensign Group’s payout ratio is currently 4.73%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

ENSG has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Macquarie cut their price target on shares of The Ensign Group from $159.00 to $156.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $155.00 price target on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, February 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $163.50.

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.