Cerity Partners LLC Buys 825 Shares of National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC)

Cerity Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of National HealthCare Co. (NYSE:NHC) by 5.2% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 16,631 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 825 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC’s holdings in National HealthCare were worth $2,092,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Meridian Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in National HealthCare during the 3rd quarter valued at about $229,000. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of National HealthCare in the third quarter valued at approximately $98,156,000. Intech Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of National HealthCare in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $401,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. bought a new stake in National HealthCare during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $378,000. Finally, Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC increased its holdings in National HealthCare by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC now owns 36,917 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,643,000 after purchasing an additional 516 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 56.44% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded National HealthCare from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, November 16th.

National HealthCare Trading Up 0.6 %

NHC opened at $125.20 on Monday. National HealthCare Co. has a 1-year low of $75.53 and a 1-year high of $138.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.93 billion, a PE ratio of 15.69 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a current ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $123.75 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $119.95.

National HealthCare Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 30th will be issued a $0.61 dividend. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 30th. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio is currently 30.58%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, SVP Brian F. Kidd sold 2,000 shares of National HealthCare stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.01, for a total value of $260,020.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 21,747 shares in the company, valued at $2,827,327.47. This trade represents a 8.42 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 13.75% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

National HealthCare Company Profile

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.