Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC) Receives Consensus Rating of “Buy” from Analysts

Shares of Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC) have received an average recommendation of “Buy” from the eleven analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $142.8571.

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on EHC shares. Raymond James Financial upgraded Encompass Health to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Barclays upped their target price on Encompass Health from $141.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. KeyCorp raised their price target on Encompass Health from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Encompass Health from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b+)” rating on shares of Encompass Health in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th.

Encompass Health Stock Performance

Shares of EHC opened at $102.89 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. Encompass Health has a 52-week low of $90.67 and a 52-week high of $127.99. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $110.79 and a 200-day simple moving average of $117.02. The company has a market capitalization of $10.35 billion, a PE ratio of 19.45, a P/E/G ratio of 1.69 and a beta of 0.74.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, March 16th. The company reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter. Encompass Health had a net margin of 9.33% and a return on equity of 17.84%. The company had revenue of $136.30 million for the quarter. Equities research analysts predict that Encompass Health will post 4.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Encompass Health Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be paid a $0.19 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. Encompass Health’s dividend payout ratio is presently 14.37%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Encompass Health

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Citizens National Bank Trust Department purchased a new stake in shares of Encompass Health in the third quarter valued at $26,000. First Horizon Corp purchased a new position in Encompass Health in the 3rd quarter valued at about $34,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Encompass Health by 56.7% during the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 279 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 101 shares during the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Encompass Health by 88.1% during the third quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 299 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 140 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Encompass Health in the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.25% of the company’s stock.

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.