National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Sees Strong Trading Volume – Still a Buy?

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Thursday . Approximately 65,101 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 26% from the previous session’s volume of 87,493 shares.The stock last traded at $162.2670 and had previously closed at $161.42.

National HealthCare Stock Down 0.4%

The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $156.69 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $137.94. The firm has a market cap of $2.50 billion, a PE ratio of 20.96 and a beta of 0.60.

National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 26th. The company reported $1.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $386.51 million during the quarter. National HealthCare had a return on equity of 9.59% and a net margin of 7.91%.

National HealthCare Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be paid a $0.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 31st. This represents a $2.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio is currently 59.12%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 38.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,038,787 shares of the company’s stock worth $142,407,000 after acquiring an additional 289,566 shares during the last quarter. M Holdings Securities Inc. bought a new position in shares of National HealthCare during the 3rd quarter valued at $56,283,000. First Trust Advisors LP raised its position in National HealthCare by 75.8% in the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 364,687 shares of the company’s stock worth $49,995,000 after purchasing an additional 157,204 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in National HealthCare by 0.7% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 318,440 shares of the company’s stock worth $43,662,000 after purchasing an additional 2,361 shares during the period. Finally, Alps Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in National HealthCare by 19.9% in the third quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 176,002 shares of the company’s stock worth $21,386,000 after purchasing an additional 29,246 shares during the last quarter. 56.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.