National HealthCare Corporation (NHC)

In the past six months, National HealthCare Corp. (NHC) stock has experienced significant positive movement, with its price increasing by 30.74%. The stock price rose from $106.48 on January 2, 2025, to $137.09 on December 31, 2025, marking a 28.75% increase over that period. The stock also reached an all-time high of $141.08 and a 52-week high of $133.44. A key event impacting the company's performance was the August 2024 acquisition of White Oak Management, Inc. for $221 million, which was a primary driver for strong top-line revenue growth in 2025. As of Q3 2025, the company's trailing twelve months (TTM) revenue reached $1.50 billion, representing a 22.67% year-over-year growth. Adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) for Q3 2025 also increased by 24.3% year-over-year to $1.58. Recent news includes NHC reporting its Third Quarter 2025 earnings and announcing common dividends. In September 2025, an affiliate of NHC was reported to be in default under its master lease with National Health Investors (NHI) due to non-compliance with certain non-monetary provisions. This lease, signed in 1991, is set to expire in December 2026. Additionally, a shareholder investigation by Kaskela Law LLC was announced in July 2025. In early January 2026, routine equity compensation events for executives, involving restricted stock vesting and shares withheld for tax obligations, were reported.

The demand for National HealthCare Corp.'s products and services, particularly in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), exhibits seasonality. Winter months typically see an increased demand for healthcare services due to a rise in respiratory illnesses, leading to higher patient admissions and a greater need for nursing staff. Conversely, during the summer months, staffing needs and potentially demand may decrease as the incidence of such illnesses wanes. In the broader senior living sector, occupancy rates tend to rise during the summer as families are more inclined to move their loved ones into communities when the weather is warmer. Lead volumes for senior living facilities also tend to be higher after Thanksgiving and Christmas, as family gatherings often highlight the need for increased care for ailing relatives. Winter can present challenges for senior living providers, with flu season potentially leading to quarantines that hinder tours, and adverse weather conditions like snow and ice impeding travel. From a stock performance perspective, buying NHC stock in November has historically shown the highest probability of a positive return (81.82%), while April has the lowest (38.46%). The Tickeron Seasonality Score for NHC is 39 (on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being the worst), suggesting the company is "fair valued" in the industry regarding predictable price changes around the same period each calendar year.

National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) operates in the post-acute healthcare sector, providing a range of services including skilled nursing, assisted and independent living, homecare and hospice, and behavioral health. NHC also offers management, accounting, financial, and insurance services to third-party healthcare operators, and leases properties to them.

National HealthCare Corporation's operations are primarily located in 8 Southeastern and Midwestern states in the United States. As of November 1, 2025, the company operates a substantial network across the Southeastern U.S. Its headquarters are located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The company operates over 80 skilled nursing facilities, 26 assisted living communities, 9 independent living communities, 3 behavioral health hospitals, 34 homecare agencies, and 30 hospice agencies.

Information specifically detailing NHC's brand reputation in the past year (January 2025 - January 2026) is limited in the provided search results. However, historical events and ongoing challenges may influence public perception. Past allegations and lawsuits against NHC facilities have included issues such as understaffing, poor care, pressure ulcers, inadequate fall care, fatal fires, elderly abuse, and improper Medicare billing. NHC previously settled a US $27 million fraud action for improperly billing Medicare for nursing services that were not provided. Some NHC nursing homes have received low ratings in annual inspections, with certain Missouri facilities being rated as one-star. More recently, in September 2025, an NHC affiliate was reported to be in default under a master lease with National Health Investors due to non-compliance with non-monetary provisions, which could potentially impact the company's reputation. A shareholder investigation announced in July 2025 by Kaskela Law LLC also suggests potential scrutiny. While the company states it takes pride in providing excellent healthcare and promotes awareness campaigns, these past and recent events could affect its overall brand image.

National HealthCare Corp. (NHC) has a diverse ownership structure, with institutional investors holding the largest stake, ranging from approximately 53.91% to 62% of the company's stock. Individual insiders hold a significant portion, estimated between 12.8% and 34.06%, while retail investors hold around 4.67% to 28.18%. Major institutional owners include BlackRock, Inc., Vanguard Group Inc, Dimensional Fund Advisors Lp, Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Advisors LLC, State Street Corp, M Holdings Securities, Inc., Renaissance Technologies Llc, Geode Capital Management, Llc, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Notable individual insiders include Robert G. Adams, Richard F. Laroche Jr., and W. Andrew Adams, who hold substantial shares. The company's leadership, including CEO Stephen Flatt, President & COO R. Michael Ussery, and other senior executives, also hold shares.