The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) Price Target Raised to $135.00

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) had its target price boosted by Oppenheimer from $130.00 to $135.00 in a research report report published on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the stock.

Several other research analysts also recently issued reports on ENSG. Stephens reiterated an overweight rating and set a $135.00 price target on shares of The Ensign Group in a report on Tuesday, April 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on The Ensign Group from $112.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $124.60.

The Ensign Group Trading Down 1.6 %

ENSG opened at $116.09 on Monday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $120.91 and its 200-day moving average is $114.81. The company has a market cap of $6.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.55, a PEG ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.95. The Ensign Group has a 1-year low of $87.14 and a 1-year high of $127.57. The company has a current ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09.

The Ensign Group Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Sunday, March 31st were given a $0.06 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 27th. This represents a $0.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.21%. The Ensign Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6.32%.

Insider Transactions at The Ensign Group

In related news, Director Daren Shaw sold 6,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $119.67, for a total value of $718,020.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 31,375 shares in the company, valued at $3,754,646.25. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, VP Beverly B. Wittekind sold 10,000 shares of The Ensign Group stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $121.65, for a total value of $1,216,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 37,912 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,611,994.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Daren Shaw sold 6,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.67, for a total transaction of $718,020.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 31,375 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,754,646.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 20,463 shares of company stock worth $2,465,438 over the last ninety days. 3.90% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On The Ensign Group

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 11.4% in the 3rd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 295,716 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,481,000 after buying an additional 30,184 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its stake in The Ensign Group by 24.9% during the 3rd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 201,143 shares of the company’s stock valued at $18,692,000 after purchasing an additional 40,050 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in The Ensign Group by 8.0% during the 3rd quarter. Legacy Wealth Asset Management LLC now owns 12,376 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,150,000 after purchasing an additional 914 shares in the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG raised its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 17.4% in the third quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 31,050 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,885,000 after purchasing an additional 4,593 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of The Ensign Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $2,520,000. 96.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About The Ensign Group

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.