What is Leerink Partnrs' Estimate for EHC FY2024 Earnings?

Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC - Free Report) - Equities researchers at Leerink Partnrs increased their FY2024 earnings estimates for Encompass Health in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, October 30th. Leerink Partnrs analyst W. Mayo now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $4.34 per share for the year, up from their prior forecast of $4.15. Leerink Partnrs currently has a "Strong-Buy" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Encompass Health's current full-year earnings is $4.27 per share. Leerink Partnrs also issued estimates for Encompass Health's Q4 2024 earnings at $1.07 EPS, Q1 2025 earnings at $1.21 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $1.23 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $1.11 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $1.15 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $4.69 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $5.29 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $5.57 EPS.

Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday. Leerink Partners started coverage on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Wednesday, July 10th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $100.00 price target on the stock. Stephens reissued an "overweight" rating and issued a $105.00 target price on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. Truist Financial reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $116.00 target price (up previously from $108.00) on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Wednesday. Finally, UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Encompass Health from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 25th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $107.11.

Encompass Health Price Performance

NYSE:EHC traded down $0.58 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $98.88. 771,681 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 640,710. The company has a quick ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88. Encompass Health has a 1 year low of $62.58 and a 1 year high of $102.36. The company has a market cap of $9.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.47 and a beta of 0.88. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $94.33 and a 200 day moving average price of $88.69.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, October 28th. The company reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.94 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $1.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.33 billion. Encompass Health had a net margin of 8.10% and a return on equity of 17.60%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 11.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.86 earnings per share.

Encompass Health declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback program on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to repurchase $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to buy up to 5.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally an indication that the company's management believes its shares are undervalued.

Encompass Health Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Transactions at Encompass Health

In other news, CFO Douglas E. Coltharp sold 12,260 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.34, for a total value of $1,058,528.40. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 136,227 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,761,839.18. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 2.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Encompass Health

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in EHC. UMB Bank n.a. lifted 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 valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 252 shares during the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC raised 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 valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 140 shares during the last quarter. Oakworth Capital Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Encompass Health in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. raised its position in shares of Encompass Health by 58.9% in the 2nd quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 534 shares of the company's stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Encompass Health in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $58,000. 97.25% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.