Insider Buying: National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Director Purchases $174,862.74 in Stock

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Director Lisa Piercey purchased 949 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 1st. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $184.26 per share, for a total transaction of $174,862.74. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 949 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $174,862.74. This represents a ? increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website.

National HealthCare Stock Performance

Shares of NYSEAMERICAN NHC opened at $188.02 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $176.71 and its 200 day moving average price is $157.24. National HealthCare Corporation has a 1 year low of $93.54 and a 1 year high of $205.06. The company has a market capitalization of $2.94 billion, a PE ratio of 23.89 and a beta of 0.64.

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

National HealthCare Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 30th will be given a dividend of $0.67 per share. This is a boost from National HealthCare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.64. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 30th. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 59.12%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, May 18th. Robert W. Baird upgraded shares of National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, May 18th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 18th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy”.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National HealthCare

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in shares of National HealthCare by 65.9% in the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 27,513 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,394,000 after buying an additional 10,930 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of National HealthCare by 28.5% in the first quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 311 shares of the company’s stock valued at $50,000 after buying an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. Regal Partners Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of National HealthCare in the first quarter valued at about $304,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company raised its position in shares of National HealthCare by 1.2% in the first quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 6,048 shares of the company’s stock valued at $966,000 after buying an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quantinno Capital Management LP raised its position in shares of National HealthCare by 2.4% in the first quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 8,073 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,289,000 after buying an additional 191 shares during the last quarter. 56.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.