The Ensign Group Acquires Real Estate and Operations in Texas
Rhea-AI Summary
The Ensign Group (Nasdaq: ENSG) acquired the real estate and operations of The Chateau Waco (123 beds) and completed same‑day transactions for Wylie Oaks Healthcare and Rehabilitation (106 beds), Sunset Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center (80 beds) and Timber Ridge Health and Rehabilitation (48 beds).
Standard Bearer Healthcare REIT subsidiaries purchased the real estate and Ensign affiliates operate the facilities under long‑term leases effective February 1, 2026. Ensign also acquired operations of Agave Grove Post Acute (225 beds) under a triple net lease, bringing the portfolio to 378 healthcare operations and 160 owned real estate assets across 17 states.
Positive
- Portfolio reaches 378 healthcare operations across 17 states
- Standard Bearer subsidiaries now own 160 real estate assets
- Acquisitions effective February 1, 2026
- Added multiple facilities in Texas and operations in Arizona and Wisconsin
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
ENSG was modestly higher before this news, while key peers were mixed: DVA +1.95%, CHE +1.62%, OPCH +1.47%, UHS -0.62%, EHC -0.65%. No coordinated sector move is indicated.
Previous Acquisition Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 02 | Acquisition expansion | Positive | +1.7% | Acquired three skilled nursing facilities in Idaho and California under long-term leases. |
| Apr 02 | JV acquisition deals | Positive | +1.4% | CareTrust REIT bought two California facilities, with one leased to Ensign under 15-year NNN. |
| Feb 03 | Texas real estate buys | Positive | +2.0% | Standard Bearer acquired five Texas facilities, operated by Ensign under triple net leases. |
| Nov 04 | Wisconsin acquisitions | Positive | -0.6% | Expanded Wisconsin footprint with assisted living and skilled nursing facility purchases. |
| Oct 29 | Large SNF portfolio JV | Positive | -0.6% | CareTrust REIT agreed to acquire a $500M SNF portfolio where Ensign will operate nine sites. |
Acquisition headlines have typically produced modest stock moves, with an average change of about 1.26% and a mix of positive and slightly negative reactions, indicating markets often view these deals as incremental rather than transformational.
Over the past year, Ensign has repeatedly used acquisitions to broaden its skilled nursing and senior living footprint. Prior deals in Idaho, Texas, Wisconsin and other regions grew the portfolio from 325 to 347 operations, while increasing owned real estate assets from 128 to 144. These transactions frequently involve Standard Bearer Healthcare REIT and long-term triple net leases. Today’s additions in Texas, Wisconsin and Arizona continue that strategy, lifting the portfolio to 378 operations and 160 owned real estate assets across 17 states.
Historical Comparison
In the past 12 months, Ensign-related acquisition headlines prompted an average move of 1.26%, suggesting investors usually respond moderately to portfolio expansion news.
Acquisition activity expanded Ensign’s portfolio from 325 operations and 128 owned real estate assets to 378 operations and 160 owned assets, reflecting steady multi-state growth via Standard Bearer and triple net leases.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement continues Ensign’s strategy of disciplined roll-up growth, adding multiple skilled nursing facilities across Texas, Wisconsin and Arizona and taking the portfolio to 378 operations and 160 owned real estate assets. The deals again leverage Standard Bearer and long-term triple net leases. In light of prior acquisition activity and recent insider transactions, investors may watch how occupancy, margins and future deal flow reflect the impact of these additions over time.
Key Terms
skilled nursing facility medical
reit financial
triple net lease financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif., Feb. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ensign Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENSG), the parent company of the EnsignTM group of companies, which invest in and provide skilled nursing and senior living services, physical, occupational and speech therapies, other rehabilitative and healthcare services, and real estate, announced today that it acquired the real estate and operations of “The Chateau Waco”, a 123-bed skilled nursing facility located in Waco, Texas. The real estate was acquired by a subsidiary of Standard Bearer Healthcare REIT, Inc., Ensign’s captive real estate company, and the facility is operated by an Ensign-affiliated tenant. The acquisition was effective as of February 1, 2026.
“We are excited to add this facility to our Texas operations and cluster it with our other outstanding facilities in the area,” said Barry Port, Ensign's Chief Executive Officer. “Texas is one of our most mature operational markets and we are excited to add additional real estate assets to Standard Bearer’s Texas portfolio,” he added.
Andy Ashton, President of Keystone Care LLC, Ensign’s Texas-based subsidiary, added “Our team is excited and ready to combine our efforts and experience with the talented staff already in place to provide exceptional service to our patients.”
In a series of transactions on the same day, Ensign announced that it acquired the real estate and operations of
- “Wylie Oaks Healthcare and Rehabilitation”, a 106-bed skilled nursing facility located in Wylie, Texas;
- “Sunset Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center”, an 80-bed skilled nursing facility located in Littlefield, Texas; and
- “Timber Ridge Health and Rehabilitation”, a 48-bed skilled nursing facility located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
The real estate was purchased by subsidiaries of Standard Bearer Healthcare REIT, Inc., Ensign’s captive real estate company, and operations were leased to Ensign-affiliated operators, subject to a long-term lease effective as of February 1, 2026.
In another transaction on the same day, Ensign announced that it acquired the operations of “Agave Grove Post Acute”, a 225-bed skilled nursing facility located in Glendale, Arizona. The facility is operated by an Ensign affiliated operator and is subject to a long-term triple net lease.
These acquisitions were effective February 1, 2026, and bring Ensign's growing portfolio to 378 healthcare operations, which includes 47 senior living operations, across 17 states. Ensign subsidiaries, including Standard Bearer, own 160 real estate assets. Mr. Port reaffirmed that Ensign is actively seeking opportunities to acquire real estate and to lease both well-performing and struggling skilled nursing, senior living and other healthcare related businesses throughout the United States.
About EnsignTM
The Ensign Group, Inc.'s independent operating subsidiaries provide a broad spectrum of skilled nursing and senior living services, physical, occupational and speech therapies and other rehabilitative and healthcare services at 378 healthcare facilities in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. More information about Ensign is available at http://www.ensigngroup.net.
Contact Information
The Ensign Group, Inc., (949) 487-9500, ir@ensignservices.net
SOURCE: The Ensign Group, Inc.
FAQ
What did Ensign (ENSG) acquire on February 1, 2026?
How many beds did Ensign add with the February 2026 acquisitions?
How did Standard Bearer Healthcare REIT participate in ENSG's transactions?
What is the impact on Ensign’s overall portfolio after the acquisitions?
Are the acquired facilities operated by Ensign affiliates under lease terms?
