Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) Upgraded by StockNews.com to Buy Rating

StockNews.com upgraded shares of Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Sunday.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the stock. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $117.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, April 28th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $118.00 to $129.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. William Blair reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Friday, February 7th. KeyCorp lifted their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $120.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Truist Financial reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $135.00 price target (up from $116.00) on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Monday, April 28th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Encompass Health currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $120.86.

Encompass Health Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:EHC opened at $117.89 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $11.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.91. Encompass Health has a 52 week low of $82.74 and a 52 week high of $118.27. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $104.14 and a 200 day moving average of $100.28.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The company reported $1.37 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.19 by $0.18. The company had revenue of $1.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.43 billion. Encompass Health had a net margin of 8.48% and a return on equity of 17.56%. Encompass Health’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.12 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Encompass Health will post 4.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Encompass Health Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, July 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.58%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 1st. Encompass Health’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 14.05%.

Insider Activity

In other Encompass Health news, EVP John Patrick Darby sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.79, for a total value of $1,147,900.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 79,710 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,149,910.90. This represents a 11.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Elissa Joy Charbonneau sold 4,279 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $116.61, for a total transaction of $498,974.19. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 11,958 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,394,422.38. The trade was a 26.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 19,321 shares of company stock valued at $2,142,452 over the last ninety days. 2.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Encompass Health

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB boosted its holdings in Encompass Health by 87.8% in the fourth quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 293 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares during the last quarter. Colonial Trust Co SC purchased a new stake in Encompass Health in the fourth quarter valued at $29,000. Transce3nd LLC purchased a new stake in Encompass Health in the fourth quarter valued at $40,000. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in Encompass Health by 38.7% in the fourth quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 455 shares of the company’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in Encompass Health by 749.0% in the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 416 shares of the company’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 367 shares during the last quarter. 97.25% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Encompass Health Company Profile

Encompass Health Corporation provides post-acute healthcare services in the United States and Puerto Rico. It owns and operates inpatient rehabilitation hospitals that provide medical, nursing, therapy, and ancillary services. The company provides specialized rehabilitative treatment on an inpatient basis to patients who have experienced physical or cognitive disabilities or injuries due to medical conditions, such as strokes, hip fractures, and various debilitating neurological conditions.