National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Reaches New 12-Month High – Should You Buy?

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC)’s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $232.67 and last traded at $231.9130, with a volume of 11014 shares. The stock had previously closed at $231.00.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

National HealthCare Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $3.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.09 and a beta of 0.63. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $205.63 and its 200-day moving average price is $178.27.

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

National HealthCare Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 30th will be given a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 30th. This is a boost from National HealthCare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.64. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 61.89%.

Insider Activity at National HealthCare

In other National HealthCare news, Director Lisa Piercey purchased 949 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 1st. The stock was bought at an average cost of $184.26 per share, for a total transaction of $174,862.74. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 949 shares in the company, valued at approximately $174,862.74. This represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 13.92% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On National HealthCare

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in shares of National HealthCare by 53.6% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,724 shares of the company’s stock valued at $253,000 after acquiring an additional 950 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its stake in National HealthCare by 1.7% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 16,080 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,492,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its stake in National HealthCare by 3.1% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 9,247 shares of the company’s stock valued at $858,000 after purchasing an additional 281 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its position in National HealthCare by 7.1% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 73,772 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,846,000 after purchasing an additional 4,879 shares during the period. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its position in National HealthCare by 18.1% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 30,246 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,807,000 after purchasing an additional 4,628 shares during the period. 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.