National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Upgraded to Hold at Royal Bank Of Canada

Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) to a hold rating in a report published on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Robert W. Baird upgraded shares of National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy”.

National HealthCare Trading Up 1.4%

NHC opened at $196.30 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.07 billion, a PE ratio of 24.94 and a beta of 0.64. National HealthCare has a twelve month low of $93.54 and a twelve month high of $199.62. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $168.98 and its 200 day moving average price is $151.30.

National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 7th. The company reported $1.91 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $381.82 million for the quarter. National HealthCare had a net margin of 8.10% and a return on equity of 9.98%.

National HealthCare Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 30th will be paid a $0.67 dividend. This is a positive change from National HealthCare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.64. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, June 30th. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.4%. National HealthCare’s payout ratio is presently 59.12%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National HealthCare

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of 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 valued at $142,407,000 after acquiring an additional 289,566 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of National HealthCare by 45.4% in the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 530,302 shares of the company’s stock valued at $84,689,000 after acquiring an additional 165,615 shares during the period. M Holdings Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of National HealthCare in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $56,283,000. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 2,361 shares during the period. Finally, Alps Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of National HealthCare by 19.9% in the 3rd quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 176,002 shares of the company’s stock valued at $21,386,000 after acquiring an additional 29,246 shares during the period. 56.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About National HealthCare

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.