Short Interest in National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) Grows By 28.0%

National HealthCare Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:NHC) saw a large increase in short interest during 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. Based on an average trading volume of 105,701 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.9 days. Currently, 3.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Currently, 3.2% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 105,701 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.9 days.

National HealthCare Price Performance

Shares of National HealthCare stock traded down $1.86 on Friday, hitting $137.15. 54,986 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 82,803. The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 1.75 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $134.83 and a 200 day moving average price of $120.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.17 and a beta of 0.64. National HealthCare has a 1-year low of $89.14 and a 1-year high of $144.52.

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

National HealthCare Dividend Announcement

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

National HealthCare Company Profile

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.