Start with its own history
At 27.02×, NHC is 30.9% above its 10-observation annual average. A lower multiple can reflect a lower price, higher earnings, or weaker growth expectations—not necessarily a bargain.
AMEX · NHCMedical - Care FacilitiesUpdated Nov 4, 2026
National HealthCare Corporation P/E ratio
Current valuation, historical context, and peer comparisons.
Current P/E ratio
27.02×
30.9% abovethe 10-year annual average
Share price212.4
÷Earnings per share7.86
Price and EPS in quote currency. Calculation details
Investors are paying 27.02 for every 1 of reported earnings per share.
P/E over time
2016 – 2025
Annual P/ESelected-period average 20.64×
3-year average18.37×3 positive annual observations
5-year average20.68×5 positive annual observations
10-year average20.64×10 positive annual observations
Peer median · TTM26.72×6 peers with positive P/E
Historical P/E ratios
Annual period-end data · 25 observations
| Period end | P/E | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2025 | 17.67× | +8.7% |
| Dec 31, 2024 | 16.25× | -23.3% |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 21.20× | -48.0% |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 40.75× | +441.7% |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 7.52× | -69.0% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 24.24× | +25.4% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 19.34× | -4.6% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 20.27× | +23.1% |
View all 25 annual observations +
| Period end | P/E | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2017 | 16.47× | -27.4% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 22.69× | +22.8% |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 18.47× | -4.8% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 19.40× | +45.7% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 13.31× | +3.3% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 12.88× | +25.7% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 10.24× | -28.7% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 14.37× | -8.1% |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 15.63× | -33.3% |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 23.44× | +57.4% |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 14.90× | -19.3% |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 18.46× | -83.2% |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 109.94× | +538.5% |
| Dec 31, 2004 | 17.22× | +48.8% |
| Dec 31, 2003 | 11.57× | -5.5% |
| Dec 31, 2002 | 12.24× | -6.8% |
| Dec 31, 2001 | 13.14× | N/M |
Change is relative to the preceding observation. N/M values are excluded from averages.
How NHC compares
Company P/E vs. peer trailing-12-month ratios
| Company | P/E ratio |
|---|---|
 NHC This stockNational HealthCare Corporation | 27.02× |
 BKDBrookdale Senior Living Inc. | N/M |
 ENSGThe Ensign Group, Inc. | 27.25× |
 SNDASonida Senior Living, Inc. | N/M |
 PNTGThe Pennant Group, Inc. | 42.35× |
 INNVInnovage Holding Corp. | 165.09× |
 CHEChemed Corporation | 26.19× |
 EHCEncompass Health Corporation | 21.76× |
 AVAHAveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. | 10.72× |
Peers are selected by the data provider. Business models and earnings definitions can differ.
Put the numbers in context
What does NHC’s P/E tell you?
Compare like with like
The median of the 6 positive peer ratios above is 26.72×. Check growth, margins, debt, and earnings quality before interpreting the gap. A faster-growing business may justify a higher multiple.
Check what drives earnings
One-off gains can temporarily lower P/E; unusual charges can raise it. Reported earnings and forward estimates answer different questions. Pair this view with return on equity and liquidity for a fuller picture.
Keep your research connected
Take NHC into your spreadsheet
Pull historical P/E into Excel or Google Sheets with Wisesheets. Build your own comparisons alongside the rest of your financial model.
Explore WisesheetsQuarterly P/E · latest quarterLQ selects the latest reported quarter. Requires the Wisesheets add-in. See available data
=WISE("NHC", "PE Ratio", "LQ")Sources & calculation methodology
Current P/E
Share price 212.4 ÷ EPS 7.86 = 27.02×. Data is supplied by Financial Modeling Prep through Wisesheets. Quote feed updated Nov 4, 2026; this is not a real-time trading quote.
History & averages
Annual and quarterly P/E observations are provided separately from the current quote. Averages use the latest 3, 5, or 10 annual observations, excluding missing and nonpositive ratios. Pre-IPO observations are omitted. These are period-end observations, not daily averages.
Data definitions and limitations
The current quote feed does not specify the exact EPS filing-period end or whether EPS is basic or diluted. We do not label it as forward P/E. Peer ratios are explicitly trailing-12-month (TTM) values. Historical observations do not include independently verified price and EPS inputs. Sources may update on different schedules; rounded inputs can produce small calculation differences. Historical comparisons describe past pricing, not an estimate of fair value.
NHC P/E ratio: common questions
The essentials behind the numbers.
National HealthCare Corporation's current P/E is 27.02× based on the quote data last updated Nov 4, 2026. It represents the share price divided by reported earnings per share. Prices and earnings may refresh on different schedules.
Annual P/E uses earnings for a completed fiscal year. Trailing-12-month (TTM) P/E uses the latest four quarters, while forward P/E uses forecast earnings. These are not interchangeable. This page labels peer ratios as TTM and shows dated annual or quarterly historical observations; it does not show forward estimates.
N/M means not meaningful: the feed has no positive P/E for that observation. Negative or zero earnings should not be ranked as a low positive valuation multiple. N/M observations are excluded from the averages shown above.
Divide the share price by earnings per share (EPS). For example, a share price of 100 and EPS of 5 gives a P/E of 20×. This page uses the price and EPS supplied together in the quote when both are positive.
Price timestamps, EPS definitions, share classes, adjustments, and fiscal periods can differ. A forward P/E also uses forecast earnings rather than reported earnings. Compare the inputs and as-of dates before comparing two displayed ratios.
Not necessarily. The average describes previous market pricing, not fair value. Changes in earnings quality, growth expectations, debt, accounting, and business risk can justify a different multiple today.