Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare The Pennant Group, Inc. (PNTG) vs National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) Stock
Analyze side-by-side fundamentals, valuation, growth, and profitability to decide which stock is the better buy.
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Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | PNTG | 36.3% revenue growth vs NHC's 13.2% |
| Value | NHC | Lower P/E (20.5x vs 25.8x), PEG 0.89 vs 2.57 |
| Quality / Margins | NHC | 6.7% net margin vs PNTG's 3.1% |
| Stability / Safety | NHC | Beta 0.44 vs PNTG's 0.54, lower leverage |
| Dividends | NHC | 1.5% yield; 12-year raise streak; PNTG pays no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | NHC | +78.2% vs PNTG's +48.0% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | NHC | 6.4% ROA vs PNTG's 3.1%, ROIC 8.4% vs 5.7% |
Who Each Stock Is For
Income & stability
Growth exposure
Long-term compounding (10Y)
Sleep-well-at-night portfolio
Valuation efficiency (growth/$)
Defensive / Recession hedge
Business Model
What each company does and how it makes money
The Pennant Group operates a network of home health, hospice, and senior living facilities across the United States. It generates revenue primarily from Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements for home health and hospice services—roughly 70% of total revenue—with the remainder coming from private pay and insurance for senior living communities. The company's decentralized operating model—which grants local leaders significant autonomy—creates a competitive advantage through better community integration and operational efficiency compared to more centralized healthcare providers.
National HealthCare Corporation is a diversified healthcare services company that operates skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, homecare and hospice agencies, and behavioral health services. It generates revenue primarily from patient care services at its facilities — with skilled nursing contributing the largest portion — through Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay sources. The company's competitive advantage lies in its diversified portfolio across the care continuum and its operational expertise in managing complex regulatory environments within the post-acute care sector.
Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Financial Metrics Comparison
Side-by-side fundamentals across 2 stocks. BestLagging
Financial Scorecard
NHC leads in 5 of 6 categories — strongest in Financial Metrics and Valuation Metrics. 1 category is tied.
Financial Metrics (TTM)
NHC is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.5B annually — 1.6x PNTG's $948M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 6.7% (NHC) to 3.1% (PNTG). On growth, PNTG holds the edge at +53.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | PNTGThe Pennant Group… | NHCNational HealthCa… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $948M | $1.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $60M | $166M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $30M | $101M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $33M | $147M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +11.2% | +38.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +5.5% | +8.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +3.1% | +6.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.5% | +9.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +53.2% | +12.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +50.0% | -8.4% |
Valuation Metrics
At 21.3x trailing earnings, NHC trades at a 47% valuation discount to PNTG's 40.1x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), NHC offers better value at 0.93x vs PNTG's 3.99x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | PNTGThe Pennant Group… | NHCNational HealthCa… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.2B | $2.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.6B | $2.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 40.13x | 21.32x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 25.82x | 20.51x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 3.99x | 0.93x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 26.68x | 15.14x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.24x | 1.73x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.18x | 2.38x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 24.35x | 17.07x |
Profitability & Efficiency
NHC delivers a 9.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $10 in annual profit, vs $8 for PNTG. NHC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.08x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to PNTG's 1.21x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PNTG scores 3/9 vs NHC's 2/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | PNTGThe Pennant Group… | NHCNational HealthCa… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +7.9% | +9.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.1% | +6.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +5.7% | +8.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +7.4% | — |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 2 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.21x | 0.08x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $436M | $87M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $17M | — |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $453M | $87M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 202.23x | 24.41x |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in NHC five years ago would be worth $24,747 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,436 for PNTG. Over the past 12 months, NHC leads with a +78.2% total return vs PNTG's +48.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NHC at 45.3% vs PNTG's 30.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | PNTGThe Pennant Group… | NHCNational HealthCa… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +21.1% | +25.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +48.0% | +78.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +124.4% | +206.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -35.6% | +147.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +123.4% | +188.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +30.9% | +45.3% |
Risk & Volatility
NHC is the less volatile stock with a 0.44 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than PNTG's 0.54 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | PNTGThe Pennant Group… | NHCNational HealthCa… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.54x | 0.44x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $35.00 | $171.65 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $21.18 | $89.14 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +96.3% | +95.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 48.3 | 59.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 226K | 58K |
Analyst Outlook
NHC is the only dividend payer here at 1.51% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | PNTGThe Pennant Group… | NHCNational HealthCa… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | — |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $39.00 | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 7 | — |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +1.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 12 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $2.47 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.6% |
Historical Charts
Charts are rendered on first load. Hover for details.
Chart 1Total Return — 5 Years (Rebased to 100)
| Stock | Mar 20 | Feb 26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Pennant Group, … (PNTG) | 100 | 104.89 | +4.9% |
| National HealthCare… (NHC) | 100 | 206.09 | +106.1% |
National HealthCare… (NHC) returned +147% over 5 years vs The Pennant Group, … (PNTG)'s -36%. A $10,000 investment in NHC 5 years ago would be worth $24,747 today (including dividends reinvested).
Chart 2Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Pennant Group, … (PNTG) | $251M | $948M | +277.6% |
| National HealthCare… (NHC) | $924M | $1.5B | +59.1% |
National HealthCare Corporation's revenue grew from $924M (2016) to $1.5B (2025) — a 5.3% CAGR.
Chart 3Net Margin Trend — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Pennant Group, … (PNTG) | 3.9% | 3.1% | -20.6% |
| National HealthCare… (NHC) | 5.5% | 8.2% | +49.2% |
National HealthCare Corporation's net margin went from 5% (2016) to 8% (2025).
Chart 4P/E Ratio History — 9 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Pennant Group, … (PNTG) | 384.5 | 33.5 | -91.3% |
| National HealthCare… (NHC) | 16.5 | 17.9 | +8.5% |
The Pennant Group, Inc. has traded in a 32x–385x P/E range over 7 years; current trailing P/E is ~40x. National HealthCare Corporation has traded in a 8x–41x P/E range over 9 years; current trailing P/E is ~21x.
Chart 5EPS Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Pennant Group, … (PNTG) | 0.35 | 0.84 | +140.0% |
| National HealthCare… (NHC) | 3.32 | 7.67 | +131.0% |
National HealthCare Corporation's EPS grew from $3.32 (2016) to $7.67 (2025) — a 10% CAGR.
Chart 6Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
The Pennant Group, Inc. generated $48M FCF in 2025 (+297% vs 2021). National HealthCare Corporation generated $149M FCF in 2025 (+546% vs 2021).
PNTG vs NHC: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PNTG or NHC a better buy right now?
National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) offers the better valuation at 21.3x trailing P/E (20.5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate The Pennant Group, Inc. (PNTG) a "Buy" — based on 7 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — PNTG or NHC?
On trailing P/E, National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) is the cheapest at 21.3x versus The Pennant Group, Inc. at 40.1x. On forward P/E, National HealthCare Corporation is actually cheaper at 20.5x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: National HealthCare Corporation wins at 0.89x versus The Pennant Group, Inc.'s 2.57x — a PEG below 1.0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — PNTG or NHC?
Over the past 5 years, National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) delivered a total return of +147.5%, compared to -35.6% for The Pennant Group, Inc. (PNTG). A $10,000 investment in NHC five years ago would be worth approximately $25K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NHC returned +188.4% versus PNTG's +123.4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — PNTG or NHC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) is the lower-risk stock at 0.44β versus The Pennant Group, Inc.'s 0.54β — meaning PNTG is approximately 24% more volatile than NHC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 8% versus 121% for The Pennant Group, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — PNTG or NHC?
National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) is the more profitable company, earning 8.2% net margin versus 3.1% for The Pennant Group, Inc. — meaning it keeps 8.2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NHC leads at 8.7% versus 5.5% for PNTG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NHC leads at 37.3%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Is PNTG or NHC more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential. By this metric, National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0.89x versus The Pennant Group, Inc.'s 2.57x. A PEG below 1.0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) trades at 20.5x forward P/E versus 25.8x for The Pennant Group, Inc. — 5.3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
07Which pays a better dividend — PNTG or NHC?
In this comparison, NHC (1.5% yield) pays a dividend. PNTG does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is PNTG or NHC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.44), 1.5% yield, +188.4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NHC: +188.4%, PNTG: +123.4%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
09What are the main differences between PNTG and NHC?
Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both. NHC pays a dividend while PNTG does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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