VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al Raises Holdings in Encompass Health Corporation $EHC

VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al increased its position in Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC) by 70.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 18,131 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 7,500 shares during the period. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al’s holdings in Encompass Health were worth $2,303,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. EP Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Encompass Health by 2.4% during the second quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,694 shares of the company’s stock worth $453,000 after buying an additional 88 shares during the period. Natural Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of Encompass Health by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Natural Investments LLC now owns 7,808 shares of the company’s stock valued at $991,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares during the period. Securian Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Encompass Health by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,716 shares of the company’s stock valued at $946,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System boosted its stake in Encompass Health by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 24,245 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,973,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, Sowell Financial Services LLC grew its position in Encompass Health by 6.5% during the 3rd quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC now owns 1,864 shares of the company’s stock worth $237,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.25% of the company’s stock.

Encompass Health Stock Performance

Shares of EHC stock opened at $106.09 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $112.82 and a 200-day simple moving average of $117.59. The company has a market cap of $10.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.74. Encompass Health Corporation has a 12-month low of $87.85 and a 12-month high of $127.99.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, March 16th. The company reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter. Encompass Health had a return on equity of 17.84% and a net margin of 9.33%.The firm had revenue of $136.30 million for the quarter. Encompass Health has set its FY22 guidance at $3.83-$4.19 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Encompass Health Corporation will post 4.8 EPS for the current year.

Encompass Health Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be paid a $0.19 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. Encompass Health’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 14.37%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Encompass Health from $141.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. UBS Group increased their price objective on Encompass Health from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. Zacks Research downgraded Encompass Health from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Raymond James Financial upgraded Encompass Health to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b+)” rating on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $142.86.

Encompass Health 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.