Zacks Research Issues Positive Outlook for ENSG Earnings

The Ensign Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ENSG) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research lifted their Q1 2025 EPS estimates for The Ensign Group in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, February 19th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the company will post earnings per share of $1.37 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $1.33. The consensus estimate for The Ensign Group’s current full-year earnings is $5.59 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for The Ensign Group’s Q2 2025 earnings at $1.38 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $1.50 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $5.66 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $1.57 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $1.48 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $1.62 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $6.21 EPS.

The Ensign Group (NASDAQ:ENSG) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.47 by ($0.11). The Ensign Group had a net margin of 6.99% and a return on equity of 17.07%.

Other research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on The Ensign Group from $167.00 to $172.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $155.00 target price on shares of The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. UBS Group started coverage on shares of The Ensign Group in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. They set a “buy” rating and a $175.00 price target on the stock. Macquarie upped their price objective on shares of The Ensign Group from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Truist Financial decreased their target price on shares of The Ensign Group from $170.00 to $155.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, The Ensign Group currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $165.17.

The Ensign Group Stock Performance

NASDAQ ENSG opened at $129.09 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.56. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $134.39 and its 200-day simple moving average is $142.88. The company has a market cap of $7.42 billion, a PE ratio of 25.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.94. The Ensign Group has a 1-year low of $113.27 and a 1-year high of $158.45.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ENSG. CWM LLC lifted its holdings in The Ensign Group by 16.2% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 508 shares of the company’s stock worth $73,000 after buying an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of The Ensign Group by 0.7% in the fourth quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 11,571 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,538,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares in the last quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division boosted its holdings in The Ensign Group by 7.3% in the fourth quarter. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division now owns 1,180 shares of the company’s stock valued at $157,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the period. Forum Financial Management LP grew its stake in The Ensign Group by 5.8% during the 4th quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 1,524 shares of the company’s stock worth $202,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Equitable Trust Co. increased its holdings in The Ensign Group by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 4,998 shares of the company’s stock worth $664,000 after purchasing an additional 87 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.12% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at The Ensign Group

In related news, Director Barry M. Smith sold 700 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.48, for a total value of $96,936.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 30,752 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,258,536.96. This represents a 2.23 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Daren Shaw sold 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total value of $259,320.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 26,325 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,413,299.50. This trade represents a 7.06 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 42,486 shares of company stock worth $6,254,710 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 3.90% of the company’s stock.

The Ensign Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were paid a $0.0625 dividend. This is a boost from The Ensign Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.06. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.19%. The Ensign Group’s dividend payout ratio is 4.89%.

About The Ensign Group

The Ensign Group, Inc provides skilled nursing, senior living, and rehabilitative services. It operates through two segments: Skilled Services and Standard Bearer. The company's Skilled Services segment engages in the operation of skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation therapy services for patients with chronic conditions, prolonged illness, and the elderly; and offers nursing facilities including specialty care, such as on-site dialysis, ventilator care, cardiac, and pulmonary management, as well as standard services comprising room and board, special nutritional programs, social services, recreational activities, entertainment, and other services.