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

Shares of Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC) have been given an average recommendation of “Buy” by the eleven ratings firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation and two have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $107.11.

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

Encompass Health Trading Down 1.3 %

Shares of EHC stock opened at $92.42 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88. Encompass Health has a 12-month low of $65.99 and a 12-month high of $104.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.32, a P/E/G ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.86. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $99.20 and its 200 day moving average is $93.28.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 28th. The company reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.94 by $0.09. Encompass Health had a net margin of 8.10% and a return on equity of 17.60%. The business had revenue of $1.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.33 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.86 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 11.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Encompass Health will post 4.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Encompass Health Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a $0.17 dividend. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.74%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 2nd. Encompass Health’s dividend payout ratio is currently 16.43%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Encompass Health

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of EHC. UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings in shares of Encompass Health by 387.7% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 317 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 252 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Encompass Health by 53.0% during the 3rd quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 404 shares of the company’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 140 shares during the period. Avior Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Encompass Health during the 3rd quarter worth $40,000. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. grew its stake in shares of Encompass Health by 58.9% during the 2nd 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 period. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Encompass Health in the 2nd quarter worth about $58,000. 97.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.