SmarterDividends
NHC

National HealthCare Corporation

NHC21 yrs growth

Healthcare · Medical Care Facilities · Stock · quarterly payer

$242.82

Overvalued · -29% Add to Portfolio

Forward Yield

1.10%

Annual Dividend

$2.68

Payout Ratio

29%

5-Yr Growth

4.0%

Ex-Date

Sep 30, 2026

Frequency

Quarterly

Key facts about NHC's dividend

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Oct 18, 2026, National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) has a forward dividend yield of 1.10%, based on an annual dividend of $2.68 per share and a share price of $242.82.
  • As of Oct 18, 2026, NHC's dividend safety grade from SmarterDividends is A (87 out of 100), which rates the dividend as very safe.
  • By SmarterDividends' count, National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) has raised its dividend for 21 consecutive years as of Oct 18, 2026.
  • NHC last cut its regular dividend in 2004.
  • NHC's most recent ex-dividend date was Sep 30, 2026, for a dividend of $0.67 per share.
  • As of Oct 18, 2026, NHC pays out 29% of its trailing 12-month earnings as dividends (its payout ratio).
  • NHC's dividend has grown at an average rate of 4.0% a year over the past five years.
  • As of Oct 18, 2026, NHC's 1.10% yield is 62% below its five-year average yield of 2.89%.
  • As of Oct 18, 2026, SmarterDividends' blended fair-value estimate for NHC is $172.00 per share, 29% below the $242.82 share price, so NHC screens as overvalued.
  • National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) pays its dividend quarterly, 4 times a year.
  • National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) has raised its regular dividend 30 times and cut it 3 times across the 130 payments on record since 1987. Its most recent change was a 4.7% increase to $0.670 per share, going ex-dividend on Jun 30, 2026. The last cut went ex-dividend on Mar 25, 1992.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "NHC Dividend: Yield, Safety Grade & Next Ex-Date," updated Oct 18, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/stocks/NHC

Summary

As of Oct 18, 2026, National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) yields 1.10% ($2.68 a year per share), has a dividend safety grade of A (87/100) and has 21 consecutive years of dividend increases on record.

Is NHC a good dividend stock?

Yes

National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 1.10% ($2.68/yr), with 21 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of A. It scores well across payout coverage, growth history and safety — a dependable income holding.

Advantages

  • 21 consecutive years of dividend growth
  • Comfortable payout ratio (29%)
  • 277% total price return over 5 years
  • Top-tier dividend safety score

Risks

  • Cut its dividend in 2004

Key Data

Dividend Yield
1.10%
Payout Ratio
29%
Annual Dividend
$2.68
5-Yr Avg Growth
4.0%
Ex-Dividend Date
Sep 30, 2026
Years of Growth
21
Frequency
quarterly
Beta
0.61
Market Cap
$3.8B
P/E Ratio
27.3
5-Yr Total Return
277%
52-Week Range
$118.14 – $247.79
Dividend Safety
A · 87/100
Ever Cut?
Yes (2004)

NHC dividend raises and cuts

National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) has raised its regular dividend 30 times and cut it 3 times across the 130 payments on record since 1987. Its most recent change was a 4.7% increase to $0.670 per share, going ex-dividend on Jun 30, 2026. The last cut went ex-dividend on Mar 25, 1992.

Ex-dateChangeOld → newMove
Jun 30, 2026Raise$0.640 → $0.670+4.7%
Jun 30, 2025Raise$0.610 → $0.640+4.9%
Jun 28, 2024Raise$0.590 → $0.610+3.4%
Jun 29, 2023Raise$0.570 → $0.590+3.5%
Jun 29, 2022Raise$0.550 → $0.570+3.6%
Dec 30, 2021Raise$0.520 → $0.550+5.8%
Jun 27, 2019Raise$0.500 → $0.520+4.0%
Jun 28, 2018Raise$0.480 → $0.500+4.2%
Jun 28, 2017Raise$0.450 → $0.480+6.7%
Jun 28, 2016Raise$0.400 → $0.450+12.5%
Jun 26, 2015Raise$0.340 → $0.400+17.6%
Jun 26, 2014Raise$0.320 → $0.340+6.3%
Show all 33 changes since 1990
Ex-dateChangeOld → newMove
Jun 26, 2013Raise$0.300 → $0.320+6.7%
Jun 28, 2011Raise$0.280 → $0.300+7.1%
Jun 28, 2010Raise$0.260 → $0.280+7.7%
Jun 26, 2009Raise$0.240 → $0.260+8.3%
Jun 26, 2008Raise$0.210 → $0.240+14.3%
Jun 27, 2007Raise$0.180 → $0.210+16.7%
Jun 28, 2006Raise$0.150 → $0.180+20.0%
Jun 28, 2005Raise$0.125 → $0.150+20.0%
Dec 27, 1996Raise$0.520 → $0.600+15.4%
Jun 28, 1995Raise$0.420 → $0.520+23.8%
Dec 23, 1994Raise$0.312 → $0.420+34.6%
Mar 25, 1994Raise$0.240 → $0.312+30.0%
Sep 24, 1993Raise$0.200 → $0.240+20.0%
Mar 25, 1993Raise$0.160 → $0.200+25.0%
Sep 24, 1992Raise$0.110 → $0.160+45.5%
Mar 25, 1992Cut$0.350 → $0.110−68.6%
Feb 7, 1992Cut$0.420 → $0.350−16.7%
Dec 24, 1991Cut$0.480 → $0.420−12.5%
Sep 19, 1991Raise$0.350 → $0.480+37.1%
Mar 22, 1991Raise$0.300 → $0.350+16.7%
Mar 26, 1990Raise$0.250 → $0.300+20.0%
Every NHC payment →Download every raise and cut (CSV)
NHC ex-dividend date & scheduleNext ex-date Sep 30, 2026 · full ex-dividend historyView →NHC dividend historyEvery payment, totals by year, raises and cutsView →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NHC a good dividend stock?

Yes. National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 1.10% ($2.68/yr), with 21 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of A. It scores well across payout coverage, growth history and safety — a dependable income holding.

Is NHC undervalued?

Based on a blend of discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings-multiple estimate, NHC's fair value is about $172.00 versus a $242.82 share price — so it looks overvalued (-29% vs. fair value).

Is NHC's dividend safe?

NHC has a dividend-safety grade of A (87/100), based on its payout coverage, free-cash-flow, 21-year growth streak, a dividend cut in 2004, debt and yield-versus-history.

What is NHC's fair value?

Our blended fair-value estimate for NHC is about $172.00 per share, about 29% below the current $242.82 price — combining a discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings multiple.

Is NHC a buy, hold, or sell?

We don't issue formal ratings, but on the data NHC screens as "yes" and overvalued. National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 1.10% ($2.68/yr), with 21 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of A. It scores well across payout coverage, growth history and safety — a dependable income holding. This is research for your own analysis, not investment advice.

Will NHC cut its dividend?

NHC earns a dividend-safety grade of A (87/100), and has cut its dividend before (last in 2004). A higher score means lower cut risk based on payout coverage, cash flow and history — but no score guarantees a dividend.

Does NHC pay a dividend?

Yes. National HealthCare Corporation pays a quarterly dividend of about $2.68 per share annually, a forward yield of roughly 1.10%.

What is NHC's dividend yield?

As of Oct 18, 2026, NHC's forward dividend yield is 1.10%, based on a $2.68 annual dividend and a $242.82 share price.

What is NHC's dividend per share?

As of Oct 18, 2026, NHC pays $2.68 per share per year, distributed on a quarterly basis.

What is NHC's dividend payout ratio?

As of Oct 18, 2026, NHC's payout ratio is 29% of trailing 12-month earnings — a comfortable level that leaves room to keep raising the dividend.

How many years has NHC grown its dividend?

As of Oct 18, 2026, NHC has increased its dividend for 21 consecutive years.

When is the next NHC ex-dividend date?

As of Oct 18, 2026, NHC's next ex-dividend date hasn't been announced. The most recent was Sep 30, 2026, for $0.67 per share.

NHC Dividend News

NHC
IncreaseNHC·Jul 1, 2026

National HealthCare Raises Quarterly Dividend to 67 Cents

National HealthCare Corporation increased its quarterly dividend to $0.67 per share, extending its dividend-growth streak to 21 years.

Income Calculator

At $2.68 / yr per share

Per payment (quarterly)$67.00
Annual$268.00
Monthly avg$22.33

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