Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC) Shares Sold by Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA

Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lowered its stake in shares of Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC - Free Report) by 24.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,111,144 shares of the company's stock after selling 350,292 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA owned 1.10% of Encompass Health worth $107,381,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EHC. UMB Bank n.a. boosted 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 stake in 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 acquiring an additional 140 shares during the period. Oakworth Capital Inc. acquired a new position in Encompass Health in the 2nd quarter valued at $40,000. Avior Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Encompass Health during the 3rd quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Encompass Health by 58.9% during 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. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.25% of the company's stock.

Encompass Health Stock Up 1.7 %

Shares of EHC traded up $1.72 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $101.12. 776,089 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 828,364. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88. Encompass Health Co. has a 1-year low of $63.78 and a 1-year high of $104.55. The company has a market cap of $10.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.43, a P/E/G ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.88. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $97.11 and a 200-day moving average price of $90.88.

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 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.33 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.86 EPS. Encompass Health's quarterly revenue was up 11.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Encompass Health Co. will post 4.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Encompass Health Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a $0.17 dividend. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.67%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 2nd. Encompass Health's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 16.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently weighed in on EHC. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on Encompass Health from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $105.00 target price on shares of Encompass Health in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 25th. Truist Financial reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $116.00 price target (up previously from $108.00) on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on Encompass Health from $109.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $107.11.

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.