The Ensign Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENSG) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share of Ensign common stock, which is an increase from the prior quarterly cash dividend of $0.045 per share. The dividend, which was unanimously approved by the Board on December 17, 2009, is payable on or before January 31, 2010 to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2009.
"We are pleased to be able to share the results of Ensign's strong 2009 growth and operating performance with our shareholders," commented Ensign President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Christensen. "The increased dividend is consistent with our past practice, and reflects our continued confidence in our operating model," he added.
Ensign has been a dividend-paying company since 2002.