National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Hits New 1-Year High – Still a Buy?

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC)’s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $200.09 and last traded at $196.00, with a volume of 102066 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $196.30.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently commented on NHC. Robert W. Baird upgraded National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday. BMO Capital Markets upgraded National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Buy”.

National HealthCare Trading Down 1.8%

The company has a market cap of $3.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.90 and a beta of 0.64. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $171.09 and a 200 day moving average price of $152.92.

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

National HealthCare Increases Dividend

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

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in shares of National HealthCare in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Quarry LP boosted its position in National HealthCare by 171.9% during the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 261 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the period. Kestra Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in National HealthCare during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $42,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in National HealthCare by 28.5% during the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 311 shares of the company’s stock valued at $50,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the period. Finally, Simplex Trading LLC boosted its position in National HealthCare by 140.0% during the 4th quarter. Simplex Trading LLC now owns 348 shares of the company’s stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 203 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 56.44% of the company’s stock.

National HealthCare Company 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.