Weiss Asset Management LP Sells 3,952 Shares of National HealthCare Corporation $NHC

Weiss Asset Management LP reduced its stake in shares of National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) by 49.3% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,060 shares of the company’s stock after selling 3,952 shares during the quarter. Weiss Asset Management LP’s holdings in National HealthCare were worth $648,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of NHC. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in National HealthCare by 38.6% in the fourth quarter. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,038,787 shares of the company’s stock valued at $142,407,000 after purchasing an additional 289,566 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP boosted its holdings in National HealthCare by 556.4% during the third quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 207,483 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,211,000 after purchasing an additional 175,873 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its holdings in shares of National HealthCare by 407.2% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 75,257 shares of the company’s stock worth $12,019,000 after purchasing an additional 60,420 shares during the period. Eversept Partners LP purchased a new stake in shares of National HealthCare during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $3,918,000. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of National HealthCare by 43.5% in the fourth quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 85,781 shares of the company’s stock valued at $11,760,000 after acquiring an additional 26,020 shares during the period. 56.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at National HealthCare

In related news, Director Lisa Piercey acquired 949 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 1st. The stock was bought at an average price of $184.26 per share, with a total value of $174,862.74. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 949 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $174,862.74. The trade was a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 13.92% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 18th. BMO Capital Markets upgraded National HealthCare to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised shares of National HealthCare to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, May 18th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy”.

National HealthCare Price Performance

Shares of NHC stock opened at $226.09 on Tuesday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $203.69 and its 200 day moving average price is $176.17. National HealthCare Corporation has a 1-year low of $94.04 and a 1-year high of $232.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.53 billion, a PE ratio of 28.73 and a beta of 0.63.

National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 7th. The company reported $1.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $381.82 million during the quarter. National HealthCare had a net margin of 8.10% and a return on equity of 9.98%.

National HealthCare Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 30th will be given a dividend of $0.67 per share. This is an increase from National HealthCare’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.64. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, June 30th. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. National HealthCare’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 61.89%.

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.