Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC Raises Stake in National HealthCare Corporation $NHC

Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) by 38.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,038,787 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 289,566 shares during the quarter. National HealthCare comprises about 15.1% of Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest holding. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC owned 0.07% of National HealthCare worth $142,407,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. M Holdings Securities Inc. bought a new stake in National HealthCare in the third quarter worth about $56,283,000. Strs Ohio bought a new stake in National HealthCare in the fourth quarter worth about $809,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its position in National HealthCare by 21.1% in the fourth quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 58,466 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,625,000 after acquiring an additional 10,170 shares in the last quarter. Militia Capital Partners LP bought a new stake in National HealthCare in the third quarter worth about $656,000. Finally, Public Sector Pension Investment Board raised its position in National HealthCare by 14.8% in the third quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 48,382 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,879,000 after acquiring an additional 6,230 shares in the last quarter. 56.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have issued reports on NHC shares. BMO Capital Markets upgraded National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. Robert W. Baird upgraded National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded 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 report on Monday, May 18th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Buy”.

Insider Buying and Selling at National HealthCare

In other National HealthCare news, Director Lisa Piercey bought 949 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 1st. The shares were bought at an average price of $184.26 per share, for a total transaction of $174,862.74. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 949 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $174,862.74. This trade represents a ? increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 13.92% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

National HealthCare Price Performance

Shares of NHC opened at $197.72 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.12 and a beta of 0.64. National HealthCare Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $93.54 and a fifty-two week high of $205.06. The business’s 50-day moving average is $180.59 and its 200-day moving average is $159.79.

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

National HealthCare Increases Dividend

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

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.