The Ensign Group Obtains Real Estate and Operations in Texas
Rhea-AI Summary
The Ensign Group (Nasdaq: ENSG) completed multiple acquisitions effective Feb 1, 2026, acquiring real estate and operations for four skilled nursing facilities and operations for a fifth facility.
Notable adds: Sunset Valley (80 beds, Littlefield TX), Wylie Oaks (106 beds, Wylie TX), The Chateau Waco (123 beds, Waco TX), Timber Ridge (48 beds, Stevens Point WI) and operations of Agave Grove Post Acute (225 beds, Glendale AZ). These moves bring Ensign to 378 healthcare operations across 17 states, with subsidiaries owning 160 real estate assets.
Positive
- Added an 80-bed skilled nursing facility in Littlefield, Texas (Sunset Valley) effective Feb 1, 2026
- Simultaneous acquisitions include 106-bed Wylie Oaks and 123-bed Chateau Waco in Texas, expanding state footprint
- Portfolio increased to 378 healthcare operations across 17 states; subsidiaries own 160 real estate assets
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
ENSG was up 0.52% pre-news while peers were mixed: DVA +1.95%, CHE +1.62%, OPCH +1.47%, UHS -0.62%, EHC -0.65%, suggesting a stock-specific setup rather than a broad sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 19 | Dividend increase | Positive | +2.5% | Quarterly dividend raised to $0.0650, extending long-running increase streak. |
| Dec 02 | Multi-state expansion | Positive | -1.4% | Acquisitions in AZ, KS, CO expanding operations and real estate footprint. |
| Dec 02 | Colorado acquisitions | Positive | -1.4% | Added two Colorado skilled nursing facilities under long-term leases. |
| Dec 02 | Kansas, AZ deals | Positive | -1.4% | Acquired Willow Point real estate plus AZ operations, lifting portfolio size. |
| Nov 03 | Earnings and guidance | Positive | +2.1% | Q3 2025 EPS and revenue growth with raised full-year guidance. |
Expansion and dividend/earnings updates have generally been viewed constructively, though multi-asset acquisition announcements have sometimes seen short-term price weakness.
This announcement continues Ensign’s acquisitive strategy. Recent history shows a mix of organic and inorganic growth: Q3 2025 results featured $1.30B revenue and raised guidance, with a 2.1% next-day gain. A $0.0650 quarterly dividend marked the 23rd consecutive annual increase, and the stock rose 2.51%. By contrast, the December 2, 2025 series of expansion press releases, which lifted the portfolio to 373 operations and 156 owned real estate assets, coincided with a -1.35% move, showing that large acquisition clusters have not always driven immediate gains.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement adds multiple skilled nursing facilities and lifts Ensign’s portfolio to 378 healthcare operations, including 47 senior living sites and ownership of 160 real estate assets. It extends the same expansion strategy highlighted in prior Arizona, Kansas, and Colorado acquisitions. Historically, earnings and dividend news have drawn stronger market responses than acquisition clusters. Investors may watch how integration progresses, how future earnings reflect these additions, and whether management continues its pattern of portfolio growth and dividend increases.
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 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 “Sunset Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center” an 80-bed skilled nursing facility located in Littlefield, 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 is an exciting time for us as we continue to add quality facilities and real estate in Texas, and this facility is a tremendous add to our footprint in this great state”, said Barry Port, Ensign’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are actively looking to acquire real estate assets through Standard Bearer, and this was a perfect opportunity for us to do so in the state of Texas”, he added.
Andy Ashton, President of Keystone Care LLC, Ensign’s Texas-based subsidiary, added “We look forward to working together with the local healthcare communities and the current staff to exceed the clinical and social needs of each resident we are honored to serve.”
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;
- “The Chateau Waco” a 123-bed skilled nursing facility located in Waco, 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 facilities did Ensign (ENSG) acquire on February 1, 2026?
How did the Feb 1, 2026 transactions change Ensign's portfolio size (ENSG)?
Which Ensign subsidiary purchased the real estate in the recent ENSG deals?
What type of lease structure applies to the newly acquired Ensign operations (ENSG)?
How many beds were added across the announced ENSG acquisitions on Feb 1, 2026?
Will Ensign (ENSG) continue pursuing real estate acquisitions after these transactions?
