NHC
NEUTRAL
$173.29
Live
National HealthCare Corporation · AMEX
$93.54
52W Range
$184.08
At a glance
Key valuation, profitability, growth, and risk metrics.
Updated May 01, 2026
Market cap
$2.7B
P/E
22.59
ROE
11.9%
Profit margin
7.9%
Debt/Equity
0.08
Dividend yield
1.48%
AI Analysis
AI-powered fundamental assessment
Confidence
85%
NHC exhibits exceptional financial health with a Piotroski F-Score of 8/9 and a nearly debt-free balance sheet (Debt/Equity 0.08). While the stock trades below its growth-based intrinsic value of $226.26, it is currently priced above its defensive Graham Number of $108.96. The outlook is tempered by a concerning Forward P/E of 403.00 and a streak of four consecutive earnings misses, suggesting a significant projected decline in profitability. Despite strong long-term price appreciation, the current technical trend is heavily bearish (10/100), indicating a potential short-term reversal or consolidation phase.
Key Strengths
Strong financial health evidenced by a Piotroski F-Score of 8/9
Extremely low leverage with a Debt/Equity ratio of 0.08
Trading at a discount to growth-based intrinsic value ($226.26)
Sustainable dividend payout ratio of 32.99%
Impressive long-term price performance (5Y Change +173.9%)
Key Risks
Extreme Forward P/E (403.00) suggests a sharp expected drop in future earnings
Poor recent earnings track record with 0/4 beats in the last four quarters
Bearish technical trend score of 10/100
Modest organic revenue growth (4.60% YoY)
Negative recent Q/Q EPS growth (-12.5%)
AI Fair Value Estimate
Based on comprehensive analysis
$167.61
-3.3% below current price
Performance Snowflake
Multi-dimensional analysis across 5 key categories
Overall
67
Strong
55
40
85
95
60
AI Verdict
Strong balance sheet offset by deteriorating earnings momentum.
Key drivers: Piotroski F-Score, Forward P/E Anomaly, Debt/Equity Ratio, Earnings Surprise Trend
Confidence
90%
Value
55/100
P/E 22.59, PEG 0.82, Graham $108.96
Positives
- PEG ratio of 0.82 suggests undervaluation relative to growth
- Price is below intrinsic value
Watchpoints
- Price is significantly above Graham Number
- Forward P/E is unsustainable
Future
40/100
Ref Growth rates and Earnings track record
Positives
- High YoY earnings growth (306.3%)
Watchpoints
- Recent Q/Q EPS decline
- Consistent earnings misses
- Low technical trend score
Past
85/100
Ref Historical price performance
Positives
- Strong 1Y, 3Y, and 5Y price returns
- Consistent historical profitability
Watchpoints
- Recent shift toward missing estimates
Health
95/100
Ref Piotroski F-Score and Debt/Equity
Positives
- Piotroski F-Score 8/9
- Very low Debt/Equity (0.08)
- Healthy Current Ratio (1.82)
Watchpoints
- Altman Z-Score data unavailable
Dividend
60/100
Ref Yield and Payout
Positives
- Low payout ratio (32.99%) ensures safety
Watchpoints
- Low dividend yield (1.48%)
Stock Price & Analyst Targets
Real-time price movements and analyst price targets
Current Price
$173.29
Multi-Horizon Performance vs Peers
Price momentum across 5Y → 1W horizons for NHC and closest competitors.
Updated 2026-04-30
| Company | 5Y | 3Y | 1Y | 6M | 1M | 1W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
NHC
National HealthCare Corporation
Primary
|
+173.9% | +222.3% | +87.0% | +43.5% | +8.5% | +1.6% |
|
HCM
HUTCHMED (China) Limited
Peer
|
-48.0% | -1.7% | +21.6% | +1.1% | +4.6% | -1.2% |
|
LMAT
LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.
Peer
|
+140.7% | +121.7% | +42.2% | +33.8% | +6.0% | +5.7% |
|
HAE
Haemonetics Corporation
Peer
|
-11.4% | -27.8% | -3.5% | +18.1% | +11.9% | -1.1% |
|
ARQT
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Peer
|
-30.1% | +98.3% | +53.6% | +31.6% | -14.4% | -5.2% |
NHC
National HealthCare Corporation
Primary
5Y
+173.9%
3Y
+222.3%
1Y
+87.0%
6M
+43.5%
1M
+8.5%
1W
+1.6%
HCM
HUTCHMED (China) Limited
Peer
5Y
-48.0%
3Y
-1.7%
1Y
+21.6%
6M
+1.1%
1M
+4.6%
1W
-1.2%
LMA
LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.
Peer
5Y
+140.7%
3Y
+121.7%
1Y
+42.2%
6M
+33.8%
1M
+6.0%
1W
+5.7%
HAE
Haemonetics Corporation
Peer
5Y
-11.4%
3Y
-27.8%
1Y
-3.5%
6M
+18.1%
1M
+11.9%
1W
-1.1%
ARQ
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Peer
5Y
-30.1%
3Y
+98.3%
1Y
+53.6%
6M
+31.6%
1M
-14.4%
1W
-5.2%
Positive values indicate cumulative gains over the specified period. Comparables pulled from the same sector to highlight whether momentum is stock-specific or industry-wide.
Historical Performance Trends
Long-term financial metrics and growth patterns
Revenue & Net Income
Profit & Operating Margins
Return on Equity (ROE)
Quarterly Revenue Growth
Historical data shows last 12 quarters (3 years)
Valuation Metrics
Key valuation ratios and pricing indicators
P/E Ratio
22.59
Forward P/E
403.0
PEG Ratio
0.82
P/B Ratio
2.52
P/S Ratio
1.78
EV/Revenue
1.67
EV/EBITDA
14.6
Market Cap
$2.7B
Profitability
Profit margins and return metrics
Profit Margin
7.91%
Operating Margin
8.57%
Gross Margin
39.31%
ROE
11.92%
ROA
5.26%
Growth
Revenue and earnings growth rates
Revenue Growth
+4.6%
Earnings Growth
+306.3%
Q/Q Revenue Growth
+4.65%
Q/Q Earnings Growth
+308.6%
Financial Health
Balance sheet strength and liquidity metrics
Debt/Equity
0.08
Low debt
Current Ratio
1.82
Good
Quick Ratio
1.56
Excellent
Cash/Share
$16.46
Financial Statement Flow
Interactive flow visualization showing how money moves through the company Q4 2025
Revenue
$0.4B
Gross Margin
39.7%
Op. Margin
8.6%
Net Margin
6.4%
Total Assets
$1.5B
Liabilities
$0.5B
Equity
$1.1B
Debt/Equity
0.42x
Operating CF
$0.0B
CapEx
$-0.0B
Free Cash Flow
$0.0B
FCF Yield
38%
Quarterly Earnings History
EPS performance vs analyst estimates
2026-05-08
$N/A
2015-05-07
$0.77
-14.6% surprise
2015-02-20
$0.88
-5.5% surprise
2014-11-06
$0.75
-11.3% surprise
Healthcare Sector Comparison
Comparing NHC against 578 companies in the Healthcare sector
(37 bullish, 180 neutral, 361 bearish)
P/E Ratio
22.59
This Stock
vs
72.4
Sector Avg
-68.8%
(Discount)
Return on Equity (ROE)
11.92%
This Stock
vs
-86.23%
Sector Avg
-113.8%
(Below Avg)
Profit Margin
7.91%
This Stock
vs
-16.07%
Sector Avg
-149.2%
(Weaker)
Debt to Equity
0.08
This Stock
vs
2.59
Sector Avg
-96.9%
(Less Debt)
Revenue Growth
4.6%
This Stock
vs
121.71%
Sector Avg
-96.2%
(Slower)
Current Ratio
1.82
This Stock
vs
4.41
Sector Avg
-58.7%
(Weaker)
Similar Companies
Peer comparison within the same industry
| Company | AI Rating | Market Cap | P/E | ROE | Profit Margin | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
NHC
National HealthCare Corporation
|
NEUTRAL | $2.7B | 22.59 | 11.9% | 7.9% | $173.29 | |
|
HCM
HUTCHMED (China) Limited
|
NEUTRAL | $2.62B | 5.75 | 45.2% | 83.3% | $15.24 | Compare |
|
LMAT
LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.
|
NEUTRAL | $2.61B | 45.48 | 15.8% | 23.1% | $114.62 | Compare |
|
HAE
Haemonetics Corporation
|
BULLISH | $2.81B | 16.66 | 19.3% | 13.3% | $60.48 | Compare |
|
ARQT
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
|
BEARISH | $2.82B | - | -9.3% | -4.3% | $22.75 | Compare |
NHC
National...
NEUTRAL
Mkt Cap
$2.7B
P/E
22.6
ROE
11.9%
Price
$173.29
Recent Insider Trading
Insider buy and sell transactions from the last 6 months
| Date | Insider | Position | Transaction | Shares | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-22 | DODSON VICKI L | Officer | Option Exercise | 4,000 | $376,400 |
| 2026-04-09 | FLATT BEN ANDERSON SR | Chief Technology Officer | Option Exercise | 3,734 | $201,412 |
| 2026-03-16 | DODSON VICKI L | Officer | Option Exercise | 3,734 | $201,412 |
| 2026-03-12 | FLATT STEPHEN FOWLER | Chief Executive Officer | Option Exercise | 1,853 | $99,951 |
| 2026-03-12 | KIDD BRIAN F. | Chief Financial Officer | Option Exercise | 1,853 | $99,951 |
| 2026-03-09 | ABERNATHY JAMES PAUL | Director | Option Exercise | 3,140 | $175,055 |
| 2026-03-04 | FLATT BEN ANDERSON SR | Chief Technology Officer | Option Exercise | 12,233 | $985,548 |
| 2026-03-04 | MCCREARY JOSH A | General Counsel | Option Exercise | 4,500 | $407,790 |
| 2026-03-04 | DODSON VICKI L | Officer | Option Exercise | 4,500 | $407,790 |
| 2026-03-04 | SHELLY TIMOTHY J. | Officer | Option Exercise | 6,334 | $583,268 |
| 2026-03-04 | KIDD BRIAN F. | Chief Financial Officer | Option Exercise | 6,000 | $470,360 |
| 2026-03-02 | FLATT STEPHEN FOWLER | Chief Executive Officer | Option Exercise | 5,000 | $453,100 |
| 2026-02-27 | FLATT BEN ANDERSON SR | Chief Technology Officer | Stock Award | 1,342 | - |
| 2026-02-27 | MCCREARY JOSH A | General Counsel | Stock Award | 1,458 | - |
| 2026-02-27 | DODSON VICKI L | Officer | Stock Award | 1,082 | - |
DODSON VICKI L
Officer
2026-04-22
4,000 shares
·
$376,400
FLATT BEN ANDERSON SR
Chief Technology Officer
2026-04-09
3,734 shares
·
$201,412
DODSON VICKI L
Officer
2026-03-16
3,734 shares
·
$201,412
FLATT STEPHEN FOWLER
Chief Executive Officer
2026-03-12
1,853 shares
·
$99,951
KIDD BRIAN F.
Chief Financial Officer
2026-03-12
1,853 shares
·
$99,951
ABERNATHY JAMES PAUL
Director
2026-03-09
3,140 shares
·
$175,055
FLATT BEN ANDERSON SR
Chief Technology Officer
2026-03-04
12,233 shares
·
$985,548
MCCREARY JOSH A
General Counsel
2026-03-04
4,500 shares
·
$407,790
DODSON VICKI L
Officer
2026-03-04
4,500 shares
·
$407,790
SHELLY TIMOTHY J.
Officer
2026-03-04
6,334 shares
·
$583,268
KIDD BRIAN F.
Chief Financial Officer
2026-03-04
6,000 shares
·
$470,360
FLATT STEPHEN FOWLER
Chief Executive Officer
2026-03-02
5,000 shares
·
$453,100
FLATT BEN ANDERSON SR
Chief Technology Officer
2026-02-27
1,342 shares
MCCREARY JOSH A
General Counsel
2026-02-27
1,458 shares
DODSON VICKI L
Officer
2026-02-27
1,082 shares
Insider transactions can signal confidence or concerns about company prospects
Past News Coverage
Recent headlines mentioning NHC from our newsroom.
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