The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) Trading Down 5.5% After Earnings Miss

The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG)’s share price was down 5.5% during mid-day trading on Thursday following a dissappointing earnings announcement. The company traded as low as $140.98 and last traded at $140.67. Approximately 108,633 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 74% from the average daily volume of 411,240 shares. The stock had previously closed at $148.86.

The company reported $1.36 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.47 by ($0.11). The Ensign Group had a return on equity of 17.21% and a net margin of 5.84%.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed 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. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.18%. This is an increase from The Ensign Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. The Ensign Group’s payout ratio is currently 6.05%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

ENSG has been the topic of several recent research reports. 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 report on Tuesday. Oppenheimer upped their price target on shares of The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $168.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. UBS Group initiated 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 on the stock. Truist Financial reduced their price target on shares of The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, Stephens reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $155.00 price target on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $165.17.

Insider Activity

In related news, Chairman Christopher R. Christensen sold 39,086 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 owns 12,539 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,862,292.28. This represents a 75.71 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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. This trade represents a 2.23 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 40,486 shares of company stock valued at $5,995,390 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 3.90% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On The Ensign Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ENSG. Baillie Gifford & Co. acquired a new position in The Ensign Group during the third quarter worth approximately $151,827,000. FMR LLC increased its position in 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. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group in the fourth quarter worth $36,167,000. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its position 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 acquiring an additional 229,586 shares in the last quarter. Finally, World Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Ensign Group in the third quarter worth $21,744,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.12% of the company’s stock.

The Ensign Group Stock Down 8.7 %

The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $138.08 and its 200-day moving average price is $143.79. The company has a market cap of $7.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.66 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 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.