Ensign Group (ENSG) vs National HealthCare (NHC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
National HealthCare (NHC) has outperformed Ensign Group (ENSG) over the past year, gaining 87.7% versus a loss of 2.3%. Over five years, NHC leads with a +212.0% price change compared with +135.4% for ENSG. Ensign Group is the larger company by market cap ($10.01 billion vs $3.56 billion), about 2.8 times the size.
On valuation, Ensign Group trades at a lower forward P/E (20.1x vs 528.2x for National HealthCare). National HealthCare offers the higher dividend yield (1.14% vs 0.15%). National HealthCare converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.9% versus 6.8%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ENSG | NHC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $171.80 | $227.11 |
| Market cap | $10.01B | $3.56B |
| 1-day change | +0.18% | +0.86% |
| YTD return | -1.38% | +64.25% |
| 1-year return | -2.35% | +87.66% |
| 5-year return | +135.43% | +212.00% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 26.89 | 25.55 |
| Forward P/E | 20.07 | 528.16 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.39 | $8.89 |
| Dividend yield | 0.15% | 1.14% |
| Annual dividend | $0.258 | $2.59 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.06B | $1.52B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +18.72% | +16.09% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $343.97M | $120.02M |
| Gross margin | 20.54% | — |
| Operating margin | 8.41% | 8.46% |
| Net margin | 6.80% | 7.91% |
| 52-week high | $218.00 | $239.29 |
| 52-week low | $141.58 | $117.22 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -21.19% | -5.09% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +28.06% | — |
| Average volume | 375.95K | 108.23K |
| Shares outstanding | 58.28M | 15.66M |
| Employees | 46,000 | 15,278 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Hospital/Nursing Management | Hospital/Nursing Management |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Ensign Group is about 2.8 times larger than National HealthCare by market value ($10.01B vs $3.56B).
- NHC has outperformed ENSG by 90.0 percentage points over the past year.
About Ensign Group
ENSG stock →The Ensign Group, Inc. provides skilled nursing, senior living, and rehabilitative services.
Health Care · Hospital/Nursing Management · 46,000 employees
About National HealthCare
NHC stock →National HealthCare Corporation engages in the operation of services to skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, homecare and hospice agencies, and health hospitals. It operates through two segments: Inpatient and Homecare and Hospice Services.
Health Care · Hospital/Nursing Management · 15,278 employees
ENSG vs NHC FAQ
Which is bigger, Ensign Group or National HealthCare?
Ensign Group (ENSG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.01B compared with $3.56B for National HealthCare (NHC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ENSG or NHC?
NHC returned +87.66% over the past 12 months, compared with -2.35% for ENSG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ENSG or NHC?
NHC has the lower trailing P/E at 25.5, versus 26.9 for ENSG. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Ensign Group or National HealthCare?
National HealthCare has the higher yield at 1.14%, compared with 0.15% for Ensign Group.
Are Ensign Group and National HealthCare in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Hospital/Nursing Management industry within the Health Care sector.