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National Research Corp(NRC)

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ADVISORIES YOU CAN VERIFY
QUALITY SIGNAL
2-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$20.35
10/02/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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Upturn Advisory & Investor View for NRC

10/02/2026: NRC (2-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

National Research Corp is a specialized healthcare intelligence provider that helps hospitals and health systems measure patient experience. The stock is a steady performer known for its high recurring revenue model, strong operating margins, and consistent dividend payments. Its primary growth opportunity lies in leveraging its data to address modern challenges like healthcare worker burnout and retail-like consumer demand. However, the company faces risks from hospital budget tightening and increasing competition from EHR platforms. It may best suit long-term investors seeking income and stability rather than rapid capital appreciation, and stakeholders should monitor the company's ability to retain large hospital contracts amid sector consolidation.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitThe company offers steady, predictable growth rather than rapid, high-multiple scaling.
Momentum investorWeak fitThe stock typically exhibits low beta and steady price movement rather than high-volatility momentum.
Value investorMixed fitThe company's stable margins offer value, though the valuation often trades at a premium due to recurring revenue.
Dividend investorStrong fitThe company has a consistent history of paying dividends, making it suitable for income-focused portfolios.
Low-risk investorStrong fitIts predictable, recurring revenue model and strong balance sheet provide stability for conservative investors.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityLowThe stock tends to be less volatile than the broader market due to its stable business model.
Valuation riskMediumTrading at a premium based on recurring revenue, the valuation can contract if growth expectations slip.
Competition risk (EHR integration)Medium / highEHR providers incorporating feedback modules could erode NRC's niche market presence.
Business qualityStrongThe company maintains high-quality recurring revenue and strong cash flow generation.
Dividend incomeMediumDividends are reliable but typically do not offer high-growth yields.
Execution riskLowThe company has a long track record of operational success with limited recent management upheaval.

Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
PRICE PATH

Strong Uptrend

The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.

Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Choppy

The stock has experienced frequent reversals and pronounced short-term price swings.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -4.58%
Avg. Invested days 40
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 3.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/02/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
NRC receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid unit economics. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
NRC has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, soft growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, solid cash generation (FCF margin 11.5%) is partially offset by negative earnings growth (-53.2%), slightly negative revenue growth (-4.0%), soft profitability (net margin 8.4%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
NRC's financial health is supported by solid cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation (11.5% of revenue). Liquidity is moderate (3 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
NRC's growth profile is soft, with the least-weak measure being revenue growth at -4.0% FY2025 versus FY2024. By comparison, while earnings growth (-53.2%, negative) and free-cash-flow growth (-17.9%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 50.4% and approximately 53.4% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 49.79% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC 9.18%
BlackRock Inc 4.80%
Morgan Stanley - Brokerage Accounts 4.53%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 3.01%
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc. 2.22%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
NRC generates approximately $563 of gross profit, $164 of operating income, and $115 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Solid margins and solid cash conversion support the rating, although capital efficiency remains solid.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 34.99%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
NRC has a liquid, relatively low-volatility profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while valuation that is moderately attractive rather than deeply discounted.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Low VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 450.13M USD
Price to earnings Ratio 84.79
1Y Target Price 26
Price to earnings Ratio 84.79
1Y Target Price 26
Volume (30-day avg) 128.2K shares
Beta 0.38
52 Weeks Range 10.65 - 23.49
Updated Date 10/02/2026
52 Weeks Range 10.65 - 23.49
Updated Date 10/02/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 2.81%
Basic EPS (TTM) 0.24

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Subscription ServicesRecurring fees from hospitals and health systems for access to patient experience software and data platforms.The vast majority of revenue comes from steady, long-term software subscriptions.
Advisory/Professional ServicesConsulting and expert insights based on the data collected from the software platforms.This segment complements the software revenue by helping clients act on the data they buy.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE 84.79
Forward PE 17.21
Enterprise Value 564.04M
Price to Sales(TTM) 3.22
Enterprise Value 564.04M
Price to Sales(TTM) 3.22
Enterprise Value to Revenue 4.03
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 24.09
Shares Outstanding 22.12M
Shares Floating 11.82M
Shares Outstanding 22.12M
Shares Floating 11.82M
Percent Insiders 49.79
Percent Institutions 50.37

Icon representing Upturn AI-generated SWOT analysis summary Upturn AI Summary

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Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

About National Research Corp

Exchange NASDAQ
Headquarters Lincoln, NE, United States
IPO Launch date 1997-10-10
CEO, Principal Executive Officer & Director Mr. Trent S. Green
Sector Healthcare
Industry Health Information Services
Full time employees 357
Full time employees 357

NRC Health provides analytics and insights to measure and improve patient and employee experience for healthcare organizations in the United States. The company offers market experience solutions, a subscription-based services for improved tracking of awareness, perception, and consistency of healthcare brands; assessment of differentiators; and segmentation tools to evaluate the needs, wants, and behaviors of communities through assessments. It also provides patient experience solutions, a cross-continuum multi-mode digital platform that collects and measures data to improve patient experience, engagement, and loyalty; employee experience solutions, which combines health care with technology comprising engagement, pulse, lifecycle, culture of safety, and magnet RN satisfaction; and consumer experience solution that offers online reputation solutions, community insights, and cross-journey listening through nGage. In addition, the company offers Huey, an AI engine built for Human Understanding that serves as a healthcare experience management companion; and governance solutions provided through national conferences, publications, advisory services, and an online portal for not-for-profit health system boards of directors, executives, and physician leadership. Further, it provides patient experience, service recovery, care transitions, employee engagement, reputation management, rounding, and brand loyalty. The company was formerly known as National Research Corporation and changed its name to NRC Health April 2026. The company was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska.