Asset Planning Inc Acquires Shares of 603 The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Asset Planning Inc acquired a new position in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund acquired 603 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $80,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Baillie Gifford & Co. acquired a new stake in The Ensign Group during the 3rd quarter worth $151,827,000. FMR LLC grew its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 42.3% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,995,971 shares of the company’s stock worth $287,061,000 after purchasing an additional 593,779 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its position in shares of The Ensign Group by 54.6% during the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 649,764 shares of the company’s stock worth $93,449,000 after purchasing an additional 229,586 shares in the last quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $21,744,000. Finally, Westfield Capital Management Co. LP acquired a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $18,843,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.12% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of The Ensign Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.52, for a total value 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. This trade represents a 75.71 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.43, for a total transaction of $93,401.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 30,852 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,116,582.36. The trade was a 2.22 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 40,486 shares of company stock valued at $5,995,390 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 3.90% of the company’s stock.

The Ensign Group Stock Up 2.7 %

Shares of NASDAQ ENSG opened at $129.57 on Friday. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $113.27 and a 52-week high of $158.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.44 billion, a PE ratio of 25.36, a P/E/G ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a quick ratio of 1.56, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $136.76 and a 200-day moving average of $143.59.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.47 by ($0.11). The Ensign Group had a net margin of 6.99% and a return on equity of 17.07%. On average, analysts anticipate that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 EPS for the current year.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st were issued a dividend of $0.0625 per share. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.19%. This is a positive change from The Ensign Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. The Ensign Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.89%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on ENSG shares. Macquarie upped their price target on shares of The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Stephens reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $155.00 target price on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Truist Financial decreased their target price on shares of The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on The Ensign Group from $167.00 to $172.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Finally, UBS Group initiated coverage on The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. They set a “buy” rating and a $175.00 price objective for the company. One 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 company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $165.17.

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.