National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC) Stock Holdings Lowered by Principal Financial Group Inc.

Principal Financial Group Inc. cut its position in National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC) by 15.4% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 61,599 shares of the company’s stock after selling 11,171 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in National HealthCare were worth $7,747,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd acquired a new stake in National HealthCare during the 1st quarter worth about $366,000. TD Asset Management Inc raised its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 51.7% during the second quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 13,500 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,463,000 after acquiring an additional 4,600 shares during the period. Miller Howard Investments Inc. NY purchased a new stake in shares of National HealthCare in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $323,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its position in National HealthCare by 30.3% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 64,688 shares of the company’s stock worth $8,136,000 after purchasing an additional 15,061 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new stake in National HealthCare during the 2nd quarter valued at $228,000. 56.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

National HealthCare Stock Up 0.5 %

NHC opened at $124.58 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $1.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.61 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a current ratio of 1.80. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $123.57 and a 200 day moving average price of $118.60. National HealthCare Co. has a twelve month low of $75.46 and a twelve month high of $138.49.

National HealthCare Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.61 per share. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.96%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 30th. National HealthCare’s payout ratio is presently 30.58%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of National HealthCare from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday.

Insider Activity

In other National HealthCare news, SVP Brian F. Kidd sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.01, for a total value of $260,020.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 21,747 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,827,327.47. The trade was a 8.42 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 13.75% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About National HealthCare

National HealthCare Corporation engages in the operation of services to skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, homecare and hospice agencies, and health hospitals. Its skilled nursing facilities offer licensed therapy services, nutrition services, social services, activities, and housekeeping and laundry services, as well as medical services prescribed by physicians; and rehabilitative services, such as physical, speech, respiratory, and occupational therapy for patients recovering from strokes, heart attacks, orthopedic conditions, neurological illnesses, or other illnesses, injuries, or disabilities.