The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) Shares Purchased by Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd.

Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) by 17.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 78,085 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 11,577 shares during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. owned 0.14% of The Ensign Group worth $10,374,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of ENSG. Aigen Investment Management LP purchased a new position in The Ensign Group during the 3rd quarter worth $434,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its position in The Ensign Group by 26.5% during the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 245,325 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,283,000 after buying an additional 51,367 shares during the last quarter. KBC Group NV raised its position in The Ensign Group by 11.8% during the 3rd quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,619 shares of the company’s stock worth $233,000 after buying an additional 171 shares during the last quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc purchased a new position in The Ensign Group during the 3rd quarter worth $236,000. Finally, Archer Investment Corp raised its position in The Ensign Group by 40.3% during the 3rd quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 871 shares of the company’s stock worth $125,000 after buying an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.12% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at The Ensign Group

In other The Ensign Group news, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.48, for a total transaction of $96,936.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 30,752 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,258,536.96. This trade represents a 2.23 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.52, for a total transaction of $5,805,052.72. Following the sale, the chairman now directly owns 12,539 shares in the company, valued at $1,862,292.28. This represents a 75.71 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 43,186 shares of company stock worth $6,345,115. 3.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Stephens restated an “overweight” rating and set a $155.00 price objective on shares of The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Macquarie upped their price objective on shares of The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Truist Financial cut their price target on shares of The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, UBS Group assumed coverage on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday, November 21st. They issued a “buy” rating and a $175.00 price target for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $165.17.

The Ensign Group Stock Performance

Shares of ENSG opened at $125.40 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $133.20 and a 200-day simple moving average of $141.73. 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 company has a market capitalization of $7.20 billion, a PE ratio of 24.54, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.98. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $113.27 and a 52-week high of $158.45.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last posted its earnings results 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%. Equities research analysts predict that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group 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.