The Ensign Group Inc. ENSG recently announced the acquisition of 18 skilled nursing facilities from Legend Healthcare in Texas. The portfolio largely consists of newer skilled nursing assets with a median age of eight years.The latest acquisition will expand Ensign’s footprint in Texas. On a cumulative basis, the company will have 46 facilities in the state, up from 28 as of Dec 31, 2015.Ensign will rent 15 of the operations under a long-term master lease to National Health Investors Inc. NHI for an initial annual amount of $17.75 million.Ensign will acquire the real estate of two operations, which will be run by its Texas-based subsidiary. The eighteenth operation will initially be run by Legend Healthcare under a short-term sublease, post which it will be added to the master lease with National Health.Additionally, Ensign will lease and operate three additional skilled nursing operations in Texas which are currently under development. These will also be added to the master lease with National Health after short-term subleases with Legend Healthcare. Finally, the master lease with National Health will have 19 operations.Post the completion of the acquisition, Ensign’s portfolio will consist of 204 healthcare facilities, 34 owned agencies, 15 hospice agencies, 15 home health agencies, three home care businesses and seventeen urgent care clinics across 14 states.Acquisitions have been a key growth catalyst for Ensign for years. In the fourth quarter of 2015, the company acquired seven skilled nursing operations. In full-year 2015, the company acquired 50 stand-alone skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, seven home health, hospice and home care agencies and three urgent care centers.Acquisitions increased revenues by $233.8 million in 2015 when compared with 2014. Ensign reported revenues of $314.4 million, which surged 30.6% from 2014.Stocks to ConsiderCurrently, Ensign carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).Some better-ranked stocks in the same space include Adeptus Health ADPT and VCA Inc WOOF. While Adeptus sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), VCA has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). 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 >>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 VCA INC (WOOF): Free Stock Analysis Report ADEPTUS HEALTH (ADPT): Free Stock Analysis Report NATL HEALTH INV (NHI): Free Stock Analysis Report ENSIGN GROUP (ENSG): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research