NHC
HealthcareNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities · $3B
What is National HealthCare Corporation?
National HealthCare Corporation is a mid-cap operator of long-term and post-acute care facilities across the United States. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the company serves seniors and patients requiring specialized medical and rehabilitative care.
NHC generates revenue by operating skilled nursing facilities, assisted living centers, independent living communities, homecare and hospice agencies, and a behavioral health hospital. Its facilities provide licensed therapy, memory care, sub-acute nursing, and physician-prescribed medical services. The company also earns income through management and accounting services offered to third-party operators, pharmacy operations, and property leases — creating a diversified revenue base within the senior care continuum.
National HealthCare Corporation was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
- Skilled nursing and post-acute rehabilitative care
- Memory care and Alzheimer's specialized units
- Assisted and independent living services
- Homecare, hospice, and behavioral health programs
- Management, pharmacy, and property leasing services
Is NHC a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates NHC as Good overall, reflecting a balanced profile with notable strengths and some areas that warrant attention.
The Risk pillar stands out as NHC's clearest strength, suggesting the company carries a conservative financial structure relative to sector peers. The Valuation pillar also scores favorably, indicating the stock does not appear richly priced compared to its fundamentals — a meaningful consideration for income-oriented investors in the senior care space.
The Moat pillar registers as Weak, reflecting the competitive and commoditized nature of long-term care operations, where differentiation is difficult to sustain. Quality and Growth both land at Neutral, pointing to a steady but not rapidly expanding business.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does NHC pay dividends?
Yes — National HealthCare Corporation pays a dividend.
NHC pays a regular dividend, consistent with its profile as a mature, cash-generating healthcare operator. The dividend reflects management's commitment to returning capital to shareholders — a common trait among established long-term care companies. Investors seeking income exposure in the healthcare sector often consider NHC alongside its dividend history and payout consistency.
When does NHC report earnings?
National HealthCare Corporation reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed equities.
NHC's earnings profile reflects the steady, occupancy-driven nature of long-term care operations. Revenue trends are influenced by Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates, facility occupancy levels, and labor costs — factors that can create quarter-to-quarter variability without dramatic swings.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit National HealthCare Corporation's investor relations page directly.
NHC Price History
+152.1% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in National HealthCare Corporation?
Based on National HealthCare Corporation's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
NHC Long-term Outlook
NHC's fundamental outlook is shaped by its Neutral Growth profile and Strong Risk positioning. The company operates in a sector with structural long-term demand driven by an aging US population, though near-term growth may remain measured given reimbursement pressures and labor market dynamics. The favorable Risk profile suggests the business is positioned to weather industry headwinds without excessive financial strain.
Growth drivers
- Aging US population increasing demand for skilled nursing and memory care
- Expansion of homecare and hospice services as lower-cost care alternatives
- Management and leasing services providing fee-based revenue diversification
Key risks
- Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rate changes affecting facility economics
- Persistent labor cost pressures across nursing and therapy staff
- Weak Moat profile limiting pricing power in a competitive long-term care market
NHC vs Peers
NHC operates in a fragmented healthcare services landscape alongside companies spanning behavioral health, post-acute care, and senior living.
LifeStance focuses exclusively on outpatient mental health services, contrasting with NHC's broader senior care and behavioral health hospital model.
Acadia operates inpatient behavioral health facilities at scale, competing with NHC's behavioral health hospital segment while serving a broader psychiatric patient population.
Extendicare is a Canadian long-term care and home health operator, offering a cross-border peer comparison for investors evaluating senior care business models.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does National HealthCare Corporation do?
National HealthCare Corporation operates skilled nursing facilities, assisted living and independent living centers, homecare and hospice agencies, and a behavioral health hospital. It also provides management, pharmacy, and property leasing services to third-party operators. The company's core focus is delivering post-acute and long-term care to seniors and patients with complex medical needs.
Does NHC pay dividends?
Yes, NHC pays a regular dividend. The company has maintained a dividend program consistent with its profile as a mature, cash-generating healthcare operator. Investors seeking income from the senior care sector often include NHC in their screening. For current dividend details, check NHC's investor relations page.
When does NHC report earnings?
National HealthCare Corporation reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, in line with standard practice for US-listed companies. Specific report dates are not covered by our data source. For upcoming earnings dates and recent results, visit the company's investor relations page.
Is NHC a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates NHC as Good overall. Its strongest pillar is Risk, and Valuation also scores favorably. However, the Moat pillar is Weak, and Quality and Growth are both Neutral — reflecting a stable but not high-growth business. Whether NHC fits your portfolio depends on your income goals and risk tolerance. View the full pillar breakdown with a UQS Pro account.
Is NHC overvalued?
Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, NHC does not appear overvalued relative to its fundamentals — the pillar scores as Good. This suggests the stock may offer reasonable value within the senior care sector. Full valuation metrics and comparisons to sector peers are available to UQS Pro members.
How does NHC compare to its competitors?
NHC is a diversified long-term care operator, distinguishing it from more specialized peers like LifeStance Health (outpatient mental health) and Acadia Healthcare (inpatient behavioral health). Extendicare offers the closest operational parallel as a Canadian senior care operator. NHC's favorable Risk and Valuation profile may differentiate it from higher-growth but higher-risk competitors.
What is NHC's market cap bracket?
NHC is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a range typically associated with established businesses that have moved beyond early growth stages but retain some capacity for expansion. Mid-cap healthcare operators like NHC often appeal to investors seeking a balance between stability and growth potential.
Who founded National HealthCare Corporation?
National HealthCare Corporation was founded in 1987. Founding context and leadership history are widely publicly available through the company's official website and investor relations materials.
Is NHC a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, NHC's UQS profile shows a Strong Risk pillar and Good Valuation, which are positive signals for durability. However, the Weak Moat and Neutral Growth pillars suggest the company may not compound at an above-average rate over time. Long-term investors should weigh the income potential against limited competitive differentiation.
What is the main competitive advantage of National HealthCare Corporation?
NHC's competitive positioning rests on its diversified service model — spanning skilled nursing, assisted living, hospice, behavioral health, and management services — rather than a single dominant advantage. This breadth provides revenue stability across the care continuum. However, the UQS Moat pillar scores as Weak, indicating that durable pricing power remains a challenge in the long-term care industry.
What sector does NHC belong to?
NHC operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically within the long-term care and post-acute services segment. This segment is closely tied to demographic trends — particularly the aging US population — as well as government reimbursement policy through Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Is NHC a growth stock or value stock?
Based on its UQS profile, NHC leans toward value rather than growth. The Growth pillar is Neutral, suggesting modest expansion expectations, while the Valuation pillar scores as Good — indicating the stock is not priced at a premium. This combination may appeal more to income and value-oriented investors than to those seeking high-growth opportunities.
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Pro Analysis
NHC — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 49.9 | 42.6 | 38.0 | 46.5 | 82.4 | 53.9 | 0.0 |
| May 20, 2026 | 49.9 | 42.7 | 38.0 | 46.5 | 82.4 | 53.7 | -4.5 |
| May 7, 2026 | 54.4 | 51.8 | 38.0 | 51.9 | 80.9 | 62.7 | +0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 54.3 | 51.8 | 38.0 | 51.9 | 80.9 | 62.0 | 0.0 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 54.3 | 51.8 | 38.0 | 51.9 | 80.9 | 62.2 | -0.1 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 54.4 | 51.8 | 38.0 | 51.9 | 80.9 | 62.6 | 0.0 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 54.4 | 51.8 | 38.0 | 51.9 | 80.9 | 62.7 | -0.1 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 54.5 | 51.8 | 38.0 | 51.9 | 80.9 | 63.2 | -0.1 |
| Apr 11, 2026 | 54.6 | 51.8 | 38.0 | 51.9 | 80.9 | 64.0 | +0.1 |
| Apr 9, 2026 | 54.5 | 51.7 | 38.0 | 51.9 | 80.9 | 63.8 | -0.3 |
NHC — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 42.7/100 (25%)National HealthCare Corporation has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 46.5/100 (20%)National HealthCare Corporation shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Risk
— 82.4/100 (15%)National HealthCare Corporation carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 53.7/100 (15%)National HealthCare Corporation has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 38/100 (25%)National HealthCare Corporation possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for NHC.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the NHC UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for National HealthCare Corporation is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses National HealthCare Corporation's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether National HealthCare Corporation is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.