The Ensign Group, Inc ENSG delivered third-quarter adjusted operating earnings of 46 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 45 cents. Earnings improved 27.8% year over year owing to consistent financial results across business lines.The Ensign Group, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise The Ensign Group, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | The Ensign Group, Inc. QuoteNet income for the quarter under review was $25 million, up 32.6 % year over year.Operational UpdateTotal revenues of $514 million increased 8.9% year over year in the reported quarter and also beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $509 million by 0.9%. This upside was backed by solid segmental performances.Total Transitional and Skilled Services segment income was $46.4 million for the quarter under consideration, up 25.7% from the prior-year period.Total Assisted and Independent Living Services segment’s revenues and income were up 7.3% to $38.1 million and 9% to $4.7 million, respectively, year over year.Segmental revenues and income at Total Home Health and Hospice Services were up 23.1% to $44.3 million and 55.4% to $7.3 million, each on a year-over-year basis.Total expenses rose 10.5% year over year to $493 million due to higher cost of services and general and administrative expenses.Quarterly Segment UpdateTransitional and Skilled ServicesThis segment generated revenues of $429 million, up 8.9% year over year. Solid growth in the number of facilities and patient days boosted this impressive result. Notably, the segment accounted for 82.2% of the total revenues in the quarter under review.Assisted and Independent Living ServicesThis segment generated operating revenues of $38 million, up 7.3% year over year with the segment contributing 7.3% to the company’s top line.Home Health & Hospice ServicesFor this segment, total operating revenues were $44 billion, up 23.1% year over year. This segment represented 8.3% to the total revenues.Other ServicesThis segment delivered revenues of $10.7 million, soaring 77% from the prior-year quarter. This segment reflected 2% of the total revenue base.Financial UpdateTotal cash and cash equivalents increased 7% to $45 million from the year-end 2017 level.As of Sep 30, 2018, long-term debt less current maturities was $245 million, down 19% from 2017-end level.Cash from operations in the first nine months of 2018 was $157 million.Dividend UpdateEnsign Group paid a quarterly cash dividend of 4.50 cents per share during the third quarter. The company has been hiking its dividend for the last 16 years.2018 GuidanceManagement now expects its earnings to be in the range of $1.83-$1.88 per share, up from the band of $1.80-$1.87.Zacks RankEnsign Group carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Stock Buy) stocks here.Releases From the Medical SectorUnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s UNH third-quarter bottom line beat estimates on the back of higher revenues.Centene Inc.’s CNC third-quarter earnings surpassed estimates, majorly driven by the company’s execution of its growth strategy and solid operating metrics.Community Health Systems, Inc.’s CYH loss wider than estimated is due to lower admissions in the reported quarter.Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest StrategiesIt's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%.And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation.See Them Free>>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH): Free Stock Analysis Report Centene Corporation (CNC): Free Stock Analysis Report Community Health Systems, Inc. (CYH): Free Stock Analysis Report The Ensign Group, Inc. (ENSG): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research