National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Short Interest Up 28.0% in December

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) saw a significant increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 417,491 shares, an increase of 28.0% from the December 15th total of 326,286 shares. Approximately 3.2% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 105,701 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.9 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 105,701 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.9 days. Approximately 3.2% of the shares of the company are short sold.

National HealthCare Stock Down 1.9%

NHC opened at $136.43 on Tuesday. National HealthCare has a twelve month low of $89.14 and a twelve month high of $144.52. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $134.96 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $120.32. The stock has a market cap of $2.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.00 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06.

National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $1.58 EPS for the quarter. National HealthCare had a net margin of 6.75% and a return on equity of 9.52%. The company had revenue of $382.66 million for the quarter.

National HealthCare Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be given a dividend of $0.64 per share. This represents a $2.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio is currently 59.12%.

About National HealthCare

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.