National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Hits New 1-Year High - Still a Buy?

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $234.17 and last traded at $234.17, with a volume of 95811 shares. The stock had previously closed at $228.20.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

• Amid Legal Risks, This Company Is Still Rated a Buy

NHC has been the subject of several research analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of National HealthCare to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of National HealthCare to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded shares of National HealthCare to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised National HealthCare to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Buy".

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on NHC

National HealthCare Trading Up 2.6%

The business's fifty day moving average price is $214.15 and its 200 day moving average price is $185.78. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.34 and a beta of 0.61.

National HealthCare (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The company reported $1.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. National HealthCare had a net margin of 9.00% and a return on equity of 10.03%. The company had revenue of $408.03 million for the quarter.

National HealthCare Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 30th will be given a $0.67 dividend. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 30th. National HealthCare's payout ratio is 61.89%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Lisa Piercey acquired 949 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, June 1st. The stock was bought at an average cost of $184.26 per share, with a total value of $174,862.74. Following the transaction, the director owned 949 shares of the company's stock, valued at $174,862.74. The trade was a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 13.92% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On National HealthCare

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Strs Ohio acquired a new position in National HealthCare during the fourth quarter worth $809,000. Militia Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of National HealthCare during the 1st quarter worth $2,827,000. Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC increased 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 valued at $142,407,000 after purchasing an additional 289,566 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System acquired a new stake in shares of National HealthCare in the first quarter valued at about $878,000. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP boosted its holdings in National HealthCare by 45.4% during the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 530,302 shares of the company's stock worth $84,689,000 after buying an additional 165,615 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 56.44% of the company's stock.

National HealthCare Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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.

Featured Articles

• Five stocks we like better than National HealthCare
• The AI Boom Is Turning This Cable Maker Into a Stock to Watch
• A Star Investor Just Trimmed Amazon—Here's What It means
• Wendy’s Deal Buzz May Give Fast-Food Investors a New Reason to Look
• Home Depot Analysts See a Path to $375 and Beyond

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.

Should You Invest $1,000 in National HealthCare Right Now?

Before you consider National HealthCare, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and National HealthCare wasn't on the list.

While National HealthCare currently has a Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

View The Five Stocks Here