Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC) Short Interest Down 15.7% in October

Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of October. As of October 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,020,000 shares, a decrease of 15.7% from the October 15th total of 1,210,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 599,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.7 days. Currently, 1.0% of the company's shares are sold short.

Encompass Health Trading Down 2.3 %

Shares of NYSE:EHC traded down $2.36 during trading on Friday, reaching $98.85. 867,683 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 641,581. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $96.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $90.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 1.04. Encompass Health has a 12-month low of $63.59 and a 12-month high of $104.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.96 billion, a PE ratio of 23.87, a P/E/G ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 0.88.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, October 28th. The company reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, beating 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 business had revenue of $1.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.33 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.86 EPS. Encompass Health's revenue was up 11.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Encompass Health will post 4.29 EPS for the current year.

Encompass Health announced that its board has approved a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to repurchase $500.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to buy up to 5.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

Encompass Health Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be issued a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.69%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 2nd. Encompass Health's payout ratio is 16.43%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently weighed in on EHC. Truist Financial restated a "buy" rating and set a $116.00 price target (up previously from $108.00) on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Encompass Health from $109.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. KeyCorp upped their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $115.00 to $117.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Encompass Health from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 25th. Finally, Stephens reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $105.00 target price on shares of Encompass Health in a research note on Tuesday, August 6th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $107.11.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Encompass Health

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in shares of Encompass Health by 387.7% during the 3rd 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 last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its position in shares of Encompass Health by 53.0% in the 3rd quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 404 shares of the company's stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 140 shares during the last quarter. Oakworth Capital Inc. purchased a new stake in Encompass Health during the second quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Encompass Health in the third quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Finally, Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. grew its holdings in Encompass Health by 58.9% in the second 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 last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.25% of the company's stock.

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.