National HealthCare Corporation reports that First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P., and The Charger Corporation have jointly reported beneficial ownership of 795,771 shares of National HealthCare common stock, representing 5.09% of the class as of June 30, 2026.
The reporting persons show no sole voting or dispositive power, with shared voting power over 780,661 shares and shared dispositive power over 795,771 shares. The holdings are primarily in unit investment trusts and other investment vehicles for which First Trust entities act as sponsor or advisor. Voting of the unit investment trust shares is carried out by the trustee, and the reporting entities disclaim beneficial ownership of the reported shares.
Positive
None.
Negative
None.
Key Figures
Shares beneficially owned:795,771 sharesPercent of class:5.09%Shared voting power:780,661 shares+4 more
7 metrics
Shares beneficially owned795,771 sharesBeneficial ownership reported jointly by First Trust entities
Percent of class5.09%Portion of National HealthCare common stock reported owned
Shared voting power780,661 sharesShares over which reporting persons share voting power
Shared dispositive power795,771 sharesShares over which reporting persons share dispositive power
Report date06/30/2026Date as of which ownership information is provided
Signature date07/27/2026Date the Schedule 13G was signed by the reporting persons
Individual trust limit3%No single unit investment trust holds more than this of any issuer’s shares
Key Terms
beneficial ownership, unit investment trusts, shared voting power, dispositive power, +2 more
6 terms
beneficial ownershipfinancial
"Each of First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P. and The Charger Corporation disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares"
Beneficial ownership means the person or entity that actually enjoys the benefits of owning shares or other assets — such as receiving dividends, voting rights, or price gains — even if the legal title is held in another name. For investors it matters because knowing who truly controls and profits from a company reveals who can influence decisions, exposes potential conflicts of interest or hidden concentration of power, and affects transparency and risk in the stock.
unit investment trustsfinancial
"First Trust Portfolios L.P. acts as sponsor of certain unit investment trusts which hold shares of the issuer"
A unit investment trust (UIT) is a pooled investment that sells investors fixed “units” representing a pre-selected, unchanging bundle of stocks, bonds or other securities held for a set period. Think of it like buying a pre-packed grocery basket that won’t be rearranged — you know exactly what you own and roughly when it will end. UITs matter to investors because they offer predictable holdings and income patterns, lower active management, and clear tax and fee implications compared with regularly traded funds.
shared voting powerfinancial
"Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 780,661"
Shared voting power occurs when two or more parties jointly have the right to vote or decide how a block of company shares is cast, like co-owners who must agree before moving a piece of furniture. Investors care because who controls voting rights affects board elections, major corporate decisions and takeover outcomes, and shared control can alter regulatory disclosures and the practical influence any holder has over a company’s direction and value.
dispositive powerfinancial
"Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 795,771"
Dispositive power is the authority to decide the final outcome of an asset, legal claim, contract, or corporate action — in effect the power to dispose of or resolve something. For investors it matters because whoever holds that authority can determine who gets paid, who controls an asset or vote, and how risks and returns are allocated; think of it like holding the key that lets you lock in the winner or loser in a deal.
Rule 13d-1(k)(1)regulatory
"This filing is jointly filed by The Charger Corporation, First Trust Portfolios L.P. and First Trust Advisors L.P. pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1)"
Rule 12d1-4regulatory
"Subject to the requirements of Rule 12d1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940"
What percentage of National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) shares do the First Trust entities report owning?
The First Trust entities report beneficial ownership of 795,771 shares of National HealthCare Corporation common stock, representing 5.09% of the outstanding class as of June 30, 2026.
How many National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) shares do the First Trust entities have voting power over?
The reporting entities have shared voting power over 780,661 shares of National HealthCare Corporation and no sole voting power, according to their Schedule 13G filing.
Do the First Trust entities directly control voting of their National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) shares?
The First Trust entities state they do not have power to vote the shares held by their unit investment trusts. These shares are voted by the trustee, generally in line with non-trust shareholders.
What is the total number of National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) shares over which the First Trust entities have dispositive power?
The Schedule 13G reports shared dispositive power over 795,771 shares of National HealthCare Corporation common stock and no sole dispositive power for the reporting persons.
How are National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) shares held within First Trust unit investment trusts?
First Trust Portfolios L.P. sponsors unit investment trusts that hold National HealthCare shares, and no individual trust holds more than 3% of any registered investment company issuer’s shares.
Do the First Trust entities claim full beneficial ownership of their National HealthCare Corporation (NHC) position?
Each of First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P. and The Charger Corporation disclaims beneficial ownership of the National HealthCare shares identified in the Schedule 13G.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
National HealthCare Corporation
(Name of Issuer)
Common
(Title of Class of Securities)
635906100
(CUSIP Number)
06/30/2026
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:
Rule 13d-1(b)
Rule 13d-1(c)
Rule 13d-1(d)
schemaVersion:
SCHEDULE 13G
CUSIP Number(s):
635906100
1
Names of Reporting Persons
First Trust Portfolios L.P.
2
Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)
(a)
(b)
3
Sec Use Only
4
Citizenship or Place of Organization
ILLINOIS
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:
5
Sole Voting Power
0.00
6
Shared Voting Power
0.00
7
Sole Dispositive Power
0.00
8
Shared Dispositive Power
15,110.00
9
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
795,771.00
10
Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)
11
Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)
5.09 %
12
Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
BD
SCHEDULE 13G
CUSIP Number(s):
635906100
1
Names of Reporting Persons
First Trust Advisors L.P.
2
Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)
(a)
(b)
3
Sec Use Only
4
Citizenship or Place of Organization
ILLINOIS
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:
5
Sole Voting Power
0.00
6
Shared Voting Power
780,661.00
7
Sole Dispositive Power
0.00
8
Shared Dispositive Power
795,771.00
9
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
795,771.00
10
Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)
11
Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)
5.09 %
12
Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
IA
SCHEDULE 13G
CUSIP Number(s):
635906100
1
Names of Reporting Persons
The Charger Corporation
2
Check the appropriate box if a member of a Group (see instructions)
(a)
(b)
3
Sec Use Only
4
Citizenship or Place of Organization
ILLINOIS
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With:
5
Sole Voting Power
0.00
6
Shared Voting Power
780,661.00
7
Sole Dispositive Power
0.00
8
Shared Dispositive Power
795,771.00
9
Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
795,771.00
10
Check box if the aggregate amount in row (9) excludes certain shares (See Instructions)
11
Percent of class represented by amount in row (9)
5.09 %
12
Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
HC
SCHEDULE 13G
Item 1.
(a)
Name of issuer:
National HealthCare Corporation
(b)
Address of issuer's principal executive offices:
Attn: Legal Department, 100 East Vine Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130, USA
Item 2.
(a)
Name of person filing:
First Trust Portfolios L.P.
First Trust Advisors L.P.
The Charger Corporation
(b)
Address or principal business office or, if none, residence:
120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187
(c)
Citizenship:
Illinois, USA
(d)
Title of class of securities:
Common
(e)
CUSIP Number(s):
635906100
Item 3.
If this statement is filed pursuant to §§ 240.13d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:
(a)
Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o);
(b)
Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(c)
Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c);
(d)
Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8);
(e)
An investment adviser in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E);
(f)
An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F);
(g)
A parent holding company or control person in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G);
(h)
A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);
(i)
A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3);
(j)
A non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J). If filing as a non-U.S. institution in accordance with § 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J),
please specify the type of institution:
(k)
Group, in accordance with Rule 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(K).
Item 4.
Ownership
(a)
Amount beneficially owned:
795,771
(b)
Percent of class:
5.09 %
(c)
Number of shares as to which the person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
0
(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
780,661
(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
0
(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:
795,771
Item 5.
Ownership of 5 Percent or Less of a Class.
Not Applicable
Item 6.
Ownership of more than 5 Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
If any other person is known to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, such securities, a statement to that effect should be included in response to this item and, if such interest relates to more than 5 percent of the class, such person should be identified. A listing of the shareholders of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the beneficiaries of employee benefit plan, pension fund or endowment fund is not required.
This Schedule 13G filing is jointly filed by The Charger Corporation, First Trust Portfolios L.P. and First Trust Advisors L.P. pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1). The Charger Corporation is the General Partner of both First Trust Portfolios L.P. and First Trust Advisors L.P. First Trust Portfolios L.P. acts as sponsor of certain unit investment trusts which hold shares of the issuer. The total number of shares of the issuer held by these unit investment trusts is set forth in Row (8) above with respect to First Trust Portfolios L.P. No individual unit investment trust sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P. holds more than 3% of any registered investment company issuer's shares. First Trust Advisors L.P., an affiliate of First Trust Portfolios L.P., acts as portfolio supervisor of the unit investment trusts sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P., certain of which hold shares of the issuer. Neither First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P. nor The Charger Corporation have the power to vote the shares of the issuer held by these unit investment trusts sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P. These shares are voted by the trustee of such unit investment trusts so as to insure that the shares are ordinarily voted as closely as possible in the same manner and in the same general proportion as are the shares held by owners other than such unit investment trusts. Subject to the requirements of Rule 12d1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and as further explained in the Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust and related Trust Agreements of the unit investment trusts, First Trust Portfolios L.P., on behalf of the unit investment trusts, may enter into an agreement with a deposited fund which may permit the shares of such fund to be voted in the best interest of unit holders at the discretion of First Trust Portfolios L.P. The difference, if any, between the aggregate amount of shares beneficially owned by each reporting person, as set forth in Row (9) above, and the number of shares of the issuer held by the unit investment trusts sponsored by First Trust Portfolios L.P. represents shares of the issuer which are either held in other registered investment companies, pooled investment vehicles and/or separately managed accounts for which First Trust Advisors L.P. serves as investment advisor and/or investment sub-advisor. Each of First Trust Portfolios L.P., First Trust Advisors L.P. and The Charger Corporation disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of the issuer identified in this filing.
Item 7.
Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company or Control Person.
If a parent holding company has filed this schedule, pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b)(ii)(G), so indicate under Item 3(g) and attach an exhibit stating the identity and the Item 3 classification of the relevant subsidiary. If a parent holding company has filed this schedule pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c) or Rule 13d-1(d), attach an exhibit stating the identification of the relevant subsidiary.
See Item 6.
Item 8.
Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
Not Applicable
Item 9.
Notice of Dissolution of Group.
Not Applicable
Item 10.
Certifications:
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect, other than activities solely in connection with a nomination under § 240.14a-11.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
First Trust Portfolios L.P.
Signature:
/s/ James M. Dykas
Name/Title:
James M. Dykas, Chief Financial Officer
Date:
07/27/2026
First Trust Advisors L.P.
Signature:
/s/ James M. Dykas
Name/Title:
James M. Dykas, Chief Financial Officer
Date:
07/27/2026
The Charger Corporation
Signature:
/s/ James M. Dykas
Name/Title:
James M. Dykas, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Date:
07/27/2026
Exhibit Information
Please see Exhibit 99.1 for Joint Filing Agreement