National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) Upgraded by StockNews.com to Strong-Buy Rating

StockNews.com upgraded shares of National HealthCare (NYSE:NHC) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday.

National HealthCare Price Performance

NHC stock opened at $124.15 on Friday. 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 stock’s fifty day moving average is $123.56. National HealthCare has a one year low of $75.46 and a one year high of $138.49. The company has a market capitalization of $1.92 billion, a PE ratio of 15.56 and a beta of 0.41.

National HealthCare Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 30th will be given a dividend of $0.61 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 30th. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.97%. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.58%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other 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 sale, the senior vice president now 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 can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 13.75% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National HealthCare

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in National HealthCare by 196.2% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 231 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares during the period. EntryPoint Capital LLC bought a new stake in National HealthCare during the first quarter worth about $58,000. Copeland Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in National HealthCare during the third quarter worth about $62,000. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in National HealthCare during the second quarter worth about $98,000. Finally, Reliant Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in National HealthCare during the third quarter worth about $203,000. Institutional investors own 56.44% of the company’s stock.

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.