Principal Financial Group Inc. Trims Stock Position in National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC)

Principal Financial Group Inc. reduced its stake in shares of National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC) by 15.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 61,599 shares of the company’s stock after selling 11,171 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned 0.40% of National HealthCare worth $7,747,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in National HealthCare by 196.2% in the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 231 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares during the last quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of National HealthCare in the first quarter valued at approximately $58,000. Copeland Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in National HealthCare during the third quarter worth approximately $62,000. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new position in National HealthCare during the second quarter worth $98,000. Finally, Reliant Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in National HealthCare in the 3rd quarter valued at $203,000. 56.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded National HealthCare from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday.

National HealthCare Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE NHC opened at $124.58 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $1.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.61 and a beta of 0.41. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $123.57 and its 200-day simple moving average is $118.60. National HealthCare Co. has a 12-month low of $75.46 and a 12-month high of $138.49. The company has a current ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14.

National HealthCare Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 30th will be given a dividend of $0.61 per share. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 30th. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.58%.

Insider Activity

In other National HealthCare news, SVP Brian F. Kidd sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.01, for a total transaction of $260,020.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 21,747 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,827,327.47. The trade was a 8.42 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 13.75% of the company’s stock.

About National HealthCare

National HealthCare Corporation engages in the operation of services to skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, homecare and hospice agencies, and health hospitals. Its skilled nursing facilities offer licensed therapy services, nutrition services, social services, activities, and housekeeping and laundry services, as well as medical services prescribed by physicians; and rehabilitative services, such as physical, speech, respiratory, and occupational therapy for patients recovering from strokes, heart attacks, orthopedic conditions, neurological illnesses, or other illnesses, injuries, or disabilities.