Healthcare Services Group (HCSG) 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 Healthcare Services Group (HCSG) over the past year, gaining 87.7% versus a gain of 29.1%. Over five years, NHC leads with a +212.0% price change compared with -9.1% for HCSG. National HealthCare is the larger company by market cap ($3.51 billion vs $1.41 billion), about 2.5 times the size.
On valuation, Healthcare Services Group trades at a lower forward P/E (16.9x vs 521.2x for National HealthCare). National HealthCare pays a dividend yielding 1.16%, while Healthcare Services Group does not currently pay one.
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 | HCSG | NHC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $20.52 | $224.13 |
| Market cap | $1.41B | $3.51B |
| 1-day change | -0.68% | -0.46% |
| YTD return | +8.05% | +64.25% |
| 1-year return | +29.13% | +87.66% |
| 5-year return | -9.07% | +212.00% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 12.00 | 25.21 |
| Forward P/E | 16.89 | 521.23 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.71 | $8.89 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.16% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.59 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $1.52B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +16.09% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $120.02M |
| Operating margin | — | 8.46% |
| Net margin | — | 7.91% |
| 52-week high | $25.75 | $239.29 |
| 52-week low | $15.13 | $116.42 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -20.31% | -6.34% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +31.58% | — |
| Average volume | 726.06K | 108.25K |
| Shares outstanding | 68.63M | 15.66M |
| Employees | 36,000 | 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
- National HealthCare is about 2.5 times larger than Healthcare Services Group by market value ($3.51B vs $1.41B).
- NHC has outperformed HCSG by 58.5 percentage points over the past year.
- National HealthCare trades at a higher earnings multiple (25.2x vs 12.0x trailing P/E).
- National HealthCare offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.16% vs 0.00%).
About Healthcare Services Group
HCSG stock →Healthcare Services Group, Inc. provides management, administrative, and operating services to the housekeeping, laundry, linen, facility maintenance, and dietary service departments of nursing homes, retirement complexes, rehabilitation centers, and hospitals in the United States.
Health Care · Hospital/Nursing Management · 36,000 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
HCSG vs NHC FAQ
Which is bigger, Healthcare Services Group or National HealthCare?
National HealthCare (NHC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.51B compared with $1.41B for Healthcare Services Group (HCSG).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, HCSG or NHC?
NHC returned +87.66% over the past 12 months, compared with +29.13% for HCSG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, HCSG or NHC?
HCSG has the lower trailing P/E at 12.0, versus 25.2 for NHC. 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, Healthcare Services Group or National HealthCare?
National HealthCare pays a dividend yielding 1.16%, while Healthcare Services Group does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Healthcare Services Group and National HealthCare in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Hospital/Nursing Management industry within the Health Care sector.