Principal Financial Group Inc. Buys 8,223 Shares of Encompass Health Corporation $EHC

Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its stake in Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC) by 3.8% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 224,550 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 8,223 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned about 0.23% of Encompass Health worth $21,721,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Encompass Health by 3,059,159.7% in the fourth quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 3,793,482 shares of the company’s stock valued at $402,640,000 after purchasing an additional 3,793,358 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Encompass Health during the 4th quarter worth $133,221,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in Encompass Health by 24.6% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 4,805,413 shares of the company’s stock worth $510,047,000 after purchasing an additional 948,202 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC raised its position in Encompass Health by 140.0% during the 3rd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,223,665 shares of the company’s stock valued at $155,430,000 after purchasing an additional 713,738 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 8 Knots Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Encompass Health in the 2nd quarter worth $78,644,000. 97.25% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Encompass Health Trading Down 0.6%

Shares of NYSE:EHC opened at $111.87 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $11.10 billion, a PE ratio of 18.68, a P/E/G ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. Encompass Health Corporation has a 12-month low of $92.77 and a 12-month high of $127.99. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $104.70 and its 200-day simple moving average is $103.67.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.60 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.51 by $0.09. Encompass Health had a return on equity of 18.28% and a net margin of 10.04%.The firm had revenue of $1.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.57 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.37 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 9.0% on a year-over-year basis. Encompass Health has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.890-6.110 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Encompass Health Corporation will post 5.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Encompass Health Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 1st were issued a $0.19 dividend. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, July 1st. Encompass Health’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 12.69%.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Patrick William Tuer sold 682 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.56, for a total transaction of $71,309.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 24,755 shares in the company, valued at $2,588,382.80. The trade was a 2.68% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 1.80% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

EHC has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Barclays dropped their price target on Encompass Health from $153.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, May 5th. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Encompass Health from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Friday, June 26th. Leerink Partners set a $152.00 target price on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Friday, May 22nd. TD Cowen initiated coverage on shares of Encompass Health in a research report on Thursday, May 28th. They set a “buy” rating and a $125.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Encompass Health from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, May 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Encompass Health presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $143.86.

Encompass Health Company Profile

Encompass Health Corporation is a leading provider of post?acute healthcare services in the United States, operating a comprehensive network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and home health and hospice agencies. Its inpatient rehabilitation hospitals offer intensive therapy programs for patients recovering from conditions such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, cardiac and pulmonary disorders, and orthopedic procedures. Through its home health segment, Encompass Health delivers skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy to patients in the comfort of their homes, while its hospice services provide end?of?life care focused on symptom management and emotional support for patients and families.

Founded in 1984 as HealthSouth Corporation and rebranded as Encompass Health in 2018, the company has grown organically and through acquisitions to serve patients across more than 30 states.