Inceptionr LLC Boosts Holdings in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)

Inceptionr LLC increased its holdings in The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) by 81.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,258 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 6,401 shares during the quarter. The Ensign Group accounts for about 0.4% of Inceptionr LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest position. Inceptionr LLC’s holdings in The Ensign Group were worth $1,894,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in ENSG. Baillie Gifford & Co. purchased a new position in shares of The Ensign Group in the third quarter worth approximately $151,827,000. FMR LLC boosted its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 42.3% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 1,995,971 shares of the company’s stock worth $287,061,000 after buying an additional 593,779 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of The Ensign Group in the fourth quarter worth approximately $36,167,000. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in shares of The Ensign Group by 54.6% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 649,764 shares of the company’s stock worth $93,449,000 after buying an additional 229,586 shares during the last quarter. Finally, World Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in The Ensign Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $21,744,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.12% of the company’s stock.

The Ensign Group Trading Up 1.5 %

The Ensign Group stock opened at $131.50 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $7.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.73, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.56. The Ensign Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $113.27 and a 1 year high of $158.45. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $133.89 and its 200-day moving average price is $142.49.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) 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, equities analysts predict that The Ensign Group, Inc. will post 5.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st were given a $0.0625 dividend. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.19%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. This is a boost from The Ensign Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. The Ensign Group’s payout ratio is currently 4.89%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other The Ensign Group news, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of The Ensign Group stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.52, for a total transaction of $5,805,052.72. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 12,539 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,862,292.28. The trade was a 75.71 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of The Ensign Group stock in a transaction on Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.48, for a total transaction of $96,936.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 30,752 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,258,536.96. The trade was a 2.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 43,186 shares of company stock worth $6,345,115. Insiders own 3.90% of the company’s stock.

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.