Trailing Dividend / Share
$2.47
National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) Dividend History
Income profile from 1987 to 2026 with payout safety and yield-on-cost trend
Dividend Yield
1.1%
Payout Ratio
32.2%
Sustainable
Dividend Streak
21 years
NHC Dividend Income Check
Safety
32.2% payout ratio with sustainable safety profile.
Consistency
21 straight years of dividend increases.
Income Trend
Yield on cost is 3.8% and trend is rising.
NHC Dividend Scorecard
Yield & Income
Dividend Yield1.1%
Trailing DPS$2.47
FrequencySemi-Annual
Payments / 12M4
Payout Safety
Earnings Payout32.2%
Earnings SafetySustainable
FCF Payout22.9%
FCF SafetyWell Covered
Piotroski F-Score7/9
Growth
Growth Streak21 years
3Y CAGR3.8%
5Y CAGR4.0%
Yield on Cost (5Y)3.8%
YOC Trendrising
Total Returns
Buyback Yield0.4%
Total Shareholder Yield1.6%
1Y Total Return110.1%
5Y Total Return223.0%
Div Contribution (5Y)16.9%
Estimated $10K growth (return + dividends):
5Y ago$30,91610Y ago$35,13420Y ago$53,325
Uses precomputed total return metrics from screening data (not lot-by-lot dividend reinvestment transactions). Different time windows can produce different outcomes depending on market regime and entry point.
NHC Income Growth Story
Dividend per share and yield on cost over time (34 years of payments)
NHC Dividend Safety Story
EPS is the container — dividend is what's drawn out
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Dividend Analysis
Payout Safety
National HealthCare Corporation distributes 32.2% of earnings as dividends (Sustainable). When measured against free cash flow—a stricter test—the payout ratio stands at 22.9%, rated "Well Covered".
Piotroski F-Score: 7/9 — strong financial health.
Growth Track Record
NHC has raised its dividend for 21 consecutive years, with a 3-year CAGR of 3.8% and 5-year CAGR of 4.0%.
Total Shareholder Returns
Beyond cash dividends, NHC returns capital through share repurchases. The combined picture: 1.1% dividend yield, 0.4% buyback yield, 1.6% total shareholder yield.
Income Trend & Total Return
Yield on cost (5-year basis) has reached 3.8% and is currently rising. The 5-year total return is 223.0%, with dividends contributing 16.9% of that performance.
DRIP Growth
A $10,000 investment made 10 years ago with dividends reinvested would have grown to approximately $35,134 today.
NHC Recent Dividend Payments
Last 20 payments · Semi-Annual
TTM Total$11.93
Avg/Payment$0.5965
Latest Change+4.7%
| Ex-Date | Amount | Change | Yield % | Payment Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 30, 2026Latest | $0.6700 | ↑ +4.7% | 1.23% | Jul 31, 2026 |
| Mar 31, 2026 | $0.6400 | — | 1.60% | Apr 30, 2026 |
| Dec 31, 2025 | $0.6400 | — | 1.85% | Jan 30, 2026 |
| Sep 30, 2025 | $0.6400 | — | 2.06% | Oct 31, 2025 |
| Jun 30, 2025 | $0.6400 | ↑ +4.9% | 2.31% | Aug 1, 2025 |
| Mar 28, 2025 | $0.6100 | — | 2.64% | Apr 25, 2025 |
| Dec 30, 2024 | $0.6100 | — | 2.25% | Jan 31, 2025 |
| Sep 30, 2024 | $0.6100 | — | 1.91% | Nov 1, 2024 |
NHC Dividend vs Peers
Comparable companies in the same industry
#2 yield in peer group
Div Yield
1.1%
#2 of 4
Safety
Sustainable
32.2% payout
Streak
21Y
4.0% 5Y CAGR
Total Shareholder
1.6%
#4 of 4
EHC
SEM
CHENHC Annual Dividend History (1987–2026)
39 years of dividend data
GrowthDecline
| Year | DPS | YoY | Pmts | EPS | Payout | Coverage | YOC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | $1.31 | — | 2 | — | — | — | 1.9% |
| 2025 | $2.53 | 4.5% | 4 | $7.67 | 33.0% | 3.03x | 3.8% |
| 2024 | $2.42 | 3.4% | 4 | $6.53 | 37.1% | 2.70x | 3.6% |
| 2023 | $2.34 | 3.5% | 4 | $4.34 | 53.9% | 1.85x | 3.5% |
| 2022 | $2.26 | 7.1% | 4 | $1.45 | 155.9% | 0.64x | 3.4% |
| 2021 | $2.11 | 1.4% | 4 | $8.99 | 23.5% | 4.26x | 3.1% |
| 2020 | $2.08 | 1.0% | 4 | $2.72 | 76.5% | 1.31x | 3.1% |
| 2019 | $2.06 | 4.0% | 4 | $4.44 | 46.4% | 2.16x | 3.1% |
| 2018 | $1.98 | 4.8% | 4 | $3.87 | 51.2% | 1.95x | 2.9% |
| 2017 | $1.89 | 8.0% | 4 | $3.69 | 51.2% | 1.95x | 2.8% |
Consensus-Based Analysis Tools
Intrinsic Valuation
DCF models, multiple analysis, and analyst estimates.
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Historical Returns
39+ years return with dividends reinvested.
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DCA Calculator
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Peer Comparison
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NHC — Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying NHC stock.
How much dividend does NHC pay per share?
National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) pays a trailing 12-month dividend of $2.47 per share, with a current dividend yield of +1.1%. Payments are made Semi-Annual.
When is NHC's next ex-dividend date?
NHC's most recent ex-dividend date is N/A. You must own shares before the ex-dividend date to receive the next payment. NHC typically pays dividends Semi-Annual.
Is NHC's dividend safe?
NHC's dividend safety is rated "Sustainable" based on an earnings payout ratio of +32.2% and FCF payout ratio of +22.9%. With 21 consecutive years of dividend growth, the track record supports sustainability.
Is NHC a Dividend Achiever?
Yes, National HealthCare Corporation is classified as a Dividend Achiever with 21 consecutive years of dividend increases. The 5-year dividend CAGR is +4.0%, demonstrating modest dividend growth.
How often does NHC pay dividends?
National HealthCare Corporation pays dividends Semi-Annual. The trailing 12-month total is $2.47 per share. Dividend data on this page covers 39+ years from 1987 to 2026.
How much would $10,000 invested in NHC grow with dividend reinvestment?
With dividends reinvested (DRIP), $10,000 invested in NHC five years ago would be worth approximately $30,916 today. This includes both price appreciation and compounded dividend reinvestment. Use the DRIP calculator above for other time periods.
What is NHC's yield on cost for long-term holders?
NHC's yield on cost — the current dividend divided by the original purchase price — is +3.8% for a 5-year holding period. This means long-term holders earn a higher effective yield than today's +1.1% market yield, thanks to consistent dividend growth.