Encompass Health Corporation $EHC Shares Bought by Baird Financial Group Inc.

Baird Financial Group Inc. raised its stake in Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC) by 34.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,351 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 857 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in Encompass Health were worth $339,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. raised its position in Encompass Health by 4.0% in the 1st quarter. Pinnacle Wealth Planning Services Inc. now owns 2,597 shares of the company’s stock valued at $263,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares in the last quarter. WPG Advisers LLC purchased a new position in shares of Encompass Health in the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. purchased a new position in shares of Encompass Health in the 1st quarter valued at about $567,000. Keeley Teton Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Encompass Health by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Keeley Teton Advisors LLC now owns 23,449 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,375,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Virtus Advisers LLC purchased a new position in shares of Encompass Health in the 1st quarter valued at about $395,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.25% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Patrick William Tuer sold 1,020 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.59, for a total value of $126,061.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 18,846 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,329,177.14. This represents a 5.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 2.00% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently weighed in on EHC shares. UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of Encompass Health from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Encompass Health from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, June 6th. KeyCorp boosted their price objective on shares of Encompass Health from $122.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 27th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on shares of Encompass Health from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Stephens upgraded shares of Encompass Health from an “overweight” rating to a “strong-buy” rating and set a $135.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Thursday, June 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and seven have given a Buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $137.71.

Encompass Health Price Performance

Encompass Health stock opened at $126.89 on Friday. Encompass Health Corporation has a 52 week low of $87.85 and a 52 week high of $126.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.78 billion, a PE ratio of 24.83, a P/E/G ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 0.92. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $117.36 and its 200 day simple moving average is $112.58. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 4th. The company reported $1.40 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.20. Encompass Health had a return on equity of 17.83% and a net margin of 9.22%.The company had revenue of $1.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.43 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.11 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Encompass Health has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.340 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Encompass Health Corporation will post 4.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Encompass Health Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 1st will be issued a $0.19 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 1st. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. This is a boost from Encompass Health’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. Encompass Health’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 13.31%.

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.