Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC) have earned an average rating of “Buy” from the eleven analysts that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation and two have given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $107.11.

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on EHC. Truist Financial reissued a “buy” rating and set a $116.00 price objective (up previously from $108.00) on shares of Encompass Health in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Encompass Health from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Encompass Health from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. KeyCorp increased their target price on Encompass Health from $115.00 to $117.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $109.00 to $116.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th.

Encompass Health Price Performance

Shares of EHC opened at $102.87 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $10.36 billion, a PE ratio of 24.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 0.86. Encompass Health has a 52-week low of $64.15 and a 52-week high of $104.55. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $98.61 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $91.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.04.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) last released its earnings results on Monday, October 28th. The company reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.94 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $1.35 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.33 billion. Encompass Health had a net margin of 8.10% and a return on equity of 17.60%. Encompass Health’s quarterly revenue was up 11.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.86 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Encompass Health will post 4.29 EPS for the current year.

Encompass Health Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 2nd. Encompass Health’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 16.43%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its position in shares of Encompass Health by 387.7% during the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 317 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 252 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC increased its position in shares of Encompass Health by 53.0% during the third quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 404 shares of the company’s stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 140 shares during the last quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Encompass Health during the third quarter worth $40,000. Oakworth Capital Inc. bought a new stake in Encompass Health during the second quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. boosted its position in Encompass Health by 58.9% in the second quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 534 shares of the company’s stock worth $46,000 after purchasing an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. 97.25% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Encompass Health

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.