NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORP 10-K

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES   Market Information   Our common stock is listed and traded on the NYSE-American exchange under the symbol “NHC”. On December 31, 2021, NHC had approximately 8,600 stockholders, comprised of approximately 1,900 stockholders of record and an additional 6,700 stockholders indicated by security position listings.   Dividend Policy   We do not have a formal dividend policy, but we currently intend to continue to pay regular quarterly dividends to the holders of our common stock. The Company has paid a common dividend since 2004, although there can be no assurances that our quarterly dividends will be declared, paid or increased in the future.   Stock Repurchase Programs   In 2021, the Company purchased 8,437 shares of its common stock for a total cost of $836,000. In 2020, the Company purchased 797 shares of its common stock for a total cost of $53,000. In 2019, the Company purchased 10,396 shares of its common stock for a total cost of $872,000. The shares were funded from cash on hand and were cancelled and returned to the status of authorized but unissued.   Equity Compensation Plans   The following table sets forth information regarding our equity compensation plans:   Plan Category   Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights     Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights     Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))       (a)     (b)     (c)   Equity compensation plans approved by security holders     374,926     $ 72.95       2,381,814   Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders     –       –       –   Total     374,926     $ 72.95       2,381,814       27 Table of Contents   The following graph and chart compare the cumulative total stockholder return for the period from December 31, 2016 through December 31, 2021 on an investment of $100 in (i) NHC’s common stock, (ii) the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index ("S&P 500 Index") and (iii) the Standard & Poor’s Health Care Index ("S&P Health Care Index"). Cumulative total stockholder return assumes the reinvestment of all dividends. Stock price performances shown in the graph are not necessarily indicative of future price performances.       28 Table of Contents   ITEM 6. [RESERVED]