Manatuck Hill Partners LLC Acquires Shares of 59,428 National HealthCare Corporation $NHC

Manatuck Hill Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund acquired 59,428 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,561,000. National HealthCare accounts for 4.2% of Manatuck Hill Partners LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 3rd largest holding.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in National HealthCare during the 2nd quarter valued at $417,602,000. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in National HealthCare by 38.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,038,787 shares of the company’s stock worth $142,407,000 after buying an additional 289,566 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its holdings in National HealthCare by 45.4% in the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 530,302 shares of the company’s stock worth $84,689,000 after buying an additional 165,615 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in National HealthCare by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 318,440 shares of the company’s stock valued at $43,662,000 after buying an additional 2,361 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new position in National HealthCare in the 2nd quarter valued at about $25,854,000. 56.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

National HealthCare Stock Performance

Shares of National HealthCare stock opened at $224.73 on Wednesday. National HealthCare Corporation has a 1 year low of $110.83 and a 1 year high of $239.29. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $217.84 and its 200-day simple moving average is $188.77. The firm has a market cap of $3.52 billion, a PE ratio of 25.28 and a beta of 0.61.

National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The company reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of $408.03 million during the quarter. National HealthCare had a return on equity of 10.03% and a net margin of 9.00%.

National HealthCare Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 30th will be given a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 30th. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 61.89%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other National HealthCare news, Director Lisa Piercey purchased 949 shares of National HealthCare stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 1st. The shares were bought at an average cost of $184.26 per share, for a total transaction of $174,862.74. Following the transaction, the director owned 949 shares in the company, valued at $174,862.74. This represents a ? increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Stephen Fowler Flatt sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $237.08, for a total transaction of $355,620.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 65,487 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,525,657.96. This trade represents a 2.24% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 13.92% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on NHC. BMO Capital Markets upgraded National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Robert W. Baird raised National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, National HealthCare has a consensus rating of “Buy”.

National HealthCare Profile

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSE American: NHC) is a healthcare services company specializing in long-term care and post-acute rehabilitation. The company operates skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and outpatient therapy clinics. Through its subsidiary, National HealthCare Partners, NHC provides contract rehabilitation services, pharmacy management and clinical consulting to a broad network of senior living and healthcare providers.

Headquartered in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, National HealthCare Corporation has built a regional footprint across the southeastern and south-central United States.