The Ensign Group Adds Real Estate and Operations in Texas
Rhea-AI Summary
The Ensign Group (Nasdaq: ENSG) acquired multiple skilled nursing properties and operations effective February 1, 2026. Key adds: Wylie Oaks Healthcare and Rehabilitation (106 beds, Wylie, TX), The Chateau Waco (123 beds, Waco, TX), Sunset Valley Rehabilitation (80 beds, Littlefield, TX), Timber Ridge (48 beds, Stevens Point, WI), and operations at Agave Grove Post Acute (225 beds, Glendale, AZ).
Real estate was purchased by subsidiaries of Standard Bearer Healthcare REIT and operations leased to Ensign-affiliated operators, bringing Ensign's network to 378 healthcare operations and 160 real estate assets.
Positive
- Adds five facilities totaling 582 licensed beds
- Portfolio grows to 378 healthcare operations across 17 states
- Standard Bearer real estate holdings increase to 160 assets
- Transactions effective February 1, 2026, providing immediate scale
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
ENSG was up 0.52% with modestly above-average volume, while peers showed mixed moves: DVA +1.95%, CHE +1.62%, OPCH +1.47%, but UHS -0.62% and EHC -0.65%. This pattern suggests today’s acquisition news was more company-specific than a broad sector rotation.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 19 | Dividend increase | Positive | +2.5% | Quarterly dividend raised to $0.065, extending 23-year increase streak. |
| Dec 02 | Multi-state acquisitions | Positive | -1.4% | Expanded operations and real estate including Arizona, Kansas, and Colorado assets. |
| Dec 02 | Colorado expansion | Positive | -1.4% | Acquired Colorado facilities under long-term triple net leases and related assets. |
| Dec 02 | Kansas & others deals | Positive | -1.4% | Added Kansas, Arizona and Colorado facilities, boosting operations and owned real estate. |
| Nov 03 | Earnings & guidance | Positive | +2.1% | Q3 2025 beat with higher EPS, strong revenue growth and raised 2025 guidance. |
Expansion and dividend/earnings updates have generally been received positively, but recent multi-asset acquisition announcements showed short-term share price softness.
Over the last few months, Ensign has combined steady portfolio expansion with shareholder returns and strong fundamentals. A Dec 19, 2025 dividend increase marked the 23rd consecutive annual raise and drew a positive reaction. Multiple acquisition announcements on Dec 2, 2025 expanded operations and real estate across several states but coincided with a modest price decline. Strong Q3 2025 results on Nov 3, 2025 and raised guidance saw a positive move. Today’s additions in Texas, Wisconsin, and Arizona continue this acquisition-driven growth trajectory and increase the total facility count.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement details additional real estate and operating acquisitions effective Feb 1, 2026, expanding Ensign’s footprint to 378 operations, including 47 senior living sites across 17 states, and 160 owned real estate assets. The structure mirrors prior transactions, with Standard Bearer purchasing real estate and affiliates operating under long-term or triple net leases. In evaluating the update, investors may track integration of these facilities, future acquisition cadence, and how incremental assets contribute alongside previously reported revenue and earnings growth.
Key Terms
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 Ensign™ 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 “Wylie Oaks Healthcare and Rehabilitation”, a 106-bed skilled nursing facility located in Wylie, 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.
“This facility is another fantastic opportunity for us to add to our existing operations in Texas and expand the Ensign footprint across the state,” said Barry Port, Ensign's Chief Executive Officer. “This facility is in a great location, and we are pleased to be adding the real estate to Standard Bearer’s ever expanding portfolio,” he added.
Andy Ashton, President of Keystone Care LLC, Ensign’s Texas-based subsidiary, added, “We can’t wait to work with the caregivers at this incredible facility to serve the Wylie community and bring top-notch care and service to our patients.”
In a series of transactions on the same day, Ensign announced that it acquired the real estate and operations of
- “The Chateau Waco” a 123-bed skilled nursing facility located in Waco, 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 Ensign™
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 facilities did ENSG acquire on February 1, 2026?
How many beds did Ensign add with the February 2026 acquisitions (ENSG)?
Who purchased the real estate for ENSG's new acquisitions?
Will the newly acquired facilities be operated by Ensign affiliates (ENSG)?
What is Ensign's portfolio size after the February 1, 2026 acquisitions (ENSG)?
