National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) Upgraded to “Strong-Buy” at StockNews.com

StockNews.com upgraded shares of National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report released on Saturday.

National HealthCare Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE NHC opened at $125.86 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.33 and a beta of 0.41. National HealthCare has a 1 year low of $73.96 and a 1 year high of $138.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a current ratio of 1.80. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $123.50.

National HealthCare Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.61 per share. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.94%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 30th. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.58%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, SVP Brian F. Kidd sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.01, for a total transaction of $260,020.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 21,747 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,827,327.47. This trade represents a 8.42 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 13.75% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of National HealthCare

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in shares of 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 position in National HealthCare in the first quarter worth $58,000. Copeland Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in National HealthCare during the third quarter valued at $62,000. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of National HealthCare during the second quarter worth $98,000. Finally, Reliant Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of National HealthCare in the 3rd quarter worth about $203,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 56.44% 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.