Bellevue Group AG Boosts Holdings in Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC)

Bellevue Group AG raised its holdings in Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC) by 38.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 19,233 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 5,365 shares during the period. Bellevue Group AG’s holdings in Encompass Health were worth $1,859,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of EHC. Magnetar Financial LLC grew its holdings in Encompass Health by 1,176.6% during the 2nd quarter. Magnetar Financial LLC now owns 744,836 shares of the company’s stock valued at $63,899,000 after buying an additional 814,018 shares during the last quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans boosted its stake in shares of Encompass Health by 2,302.7% during the second quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 603,558 shares of the company’s stock valued at $51,780,000 after acquiring an additional 578,438 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in Encompass Health by 213.3% during the 2nd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 207,202 shares of the company’s stock worth $17,776,000 after purchasing an additional 141,075 shares in the last quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC raised its stake in Encompass Health by 762.4% in the 2nd quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 83,347 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,150,000 after purchasing an additional 73,683 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Algert Global LLC lifted its holdings in Encompass Health by 89.5% in the 3rd quarter. Algert Global LLC now owns 150,570 shares of the company’s stock valued at $14,551,000 after purchasing an additional 71,132 shares in the last quarter. 97.25% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Encompass Health Stock Performance

NYSE EHC opened at $102.94 on Friday. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $98.16 and its 200-day simple moving average is $91.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.86, a P/E/G ratio of 1.36 and a beta 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 debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 1.04.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 28th. The company reported $1.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.94 by $0.09. Encompass Health had a net margin of 8.10% and a return on equity of 17.60%. The company had revenue of $1.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.33 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.86 earnings per share. Encompass Health’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Encompass Health Co. will post 4.29 EPS for the current year.

Encompass Health Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be given a $0.17 dividend. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 2nd. Encompass Health’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 16.43%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on EHC shares. KeyCorp boosted their price objective on shares of Encompass Health from $115.00 to $117.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. UBS Group increased 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. Truist Financial reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $116.00 price objective (up previously from $108.00) on shares of Encompass Health in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Encompass Health from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $105.00 price target 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 data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $107.11.

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.