Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC) Short Interest Up 19.7% in December

Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 3,479,262 shares, an increase of 19.7% from the December 15th total of 2,907,146 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 992,778 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.5 days. Currently, 3.5% of the company’s stock are short sold. Currently, 3.5% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 992,778 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.5 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have commented on EHC shares. Raymond James Financial raised shares of Encompass Health to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b+)” rating on shares of Encompass Health in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research cut Encompass Health from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. UBS Group lifted their price target on Encompass Health from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Encompass Health from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Sunday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $142.86.

Encompass Health Price Performance

Shares of EHC opened at $98.76 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.14. Encompass Health has a 1-year low of $92.53 and a 1-year high of $127.99. The stock has a market cap of $9.94 billion, a PE ratio of 18.67, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 0.74. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $108.71 and a 200 day moving average price of $115.99.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $1.23 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.19 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $1.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.48 billion. Encompass Health had a return on equity of 17.84% and a net margin of 9.33%.The business’s revenue was up 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.03 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Encompass Health will post 4.8 EPS for the current year.

Encompass Health Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 2nd were issued a $0.19 dividend. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 2nd. Encompass Health’s dividend payout ratio is presently 14.37%.

Institutional Trading of Encompass Health

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