Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC) Receives $107.11 Consensus Target Price from Analysts

Shares of Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC - Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of "Buy" from the eleven research firms that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation and two have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $107.11.

Several brokerages have recently commented on EHC. Barclays boosted their price target on Encompass Health from $109.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 29th. UBS Group boosted their price target on Encompass Health from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $105.00 price target on shares of Encompass Health in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. Truist Financial reissued a "buy" rating and set a $116.00 price target (up previously from $108.00) on shares of Encompass Health in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on Encompass Health from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th.

Encompass Health Stock Performance

Shares of EHC traded up $0.32 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $103.52. 154,625 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 640,589. The business's 50-day moving average price is $95.51 and its 200 day moving average price is $89.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 1.35. Encompass Health has a twelve month low of $63.01 and a twelve month high of $104.55. The company has a market capitalization of $10.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.93, a PEG ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 0.88.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 28th. The company reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.94 by $0.09. Encompass Health had a return on equity of 17.60% and a net margin of 8.10%. The firm had revenue of $1.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.33 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.86 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 11.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Encompass Health will post 4.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Encompass Health declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback program on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to buyback $500.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to buy up to 5.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often a sign that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

Encompass Health Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.17 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.66%. Encompass Health's dividend payout ratio is currently 16.43%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CFO Douglas E. Coltharp sold 12,260 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $86.34, for a total value of $1,058,528.40. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 136,227 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $11,761,839.18. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 2.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Encompass Health

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of EHC. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in shares of Encompass Health by 387.7% during the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 317 shares of the company's stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 252 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC raised its position in 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 buying an additional 140 shares during the period. Oakworth Capital Inc. acquired a new position in Encompass Health during the second quarter valued at $40,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Encompass Health during the third quarter valued at $40,000. Finally, Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. raised its position in Encompass Health by 58.9% during the second quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 534 shares of the company's stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 198 shares during the period. 97.25% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.