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

Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC) saw 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 trading volume, of 599,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.7 days. Currently, 1.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Encompass Health Trading Down 2.3 %

NYSE EHC traded down $2.36 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $98.85. 867,683 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 641,581. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.96 billion, a PE ratio of 23.87, a PEG ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.04. Encompass Health has a 1-year low of $63.59 and a 1-year high of $104.55. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $96.38 and its 200 day simple moving average is $90.25.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) last posted 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. The business had revenue of $1.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.33 billion. Encompass Health had a return on equity of 17.60% and a net margin of 8.10%. The business’s revenue was up 11.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.86 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Encompass Health will post 4.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Encompass Health Dividend Announcement

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

Encompass Health declared that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to buyback $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to buy up to 5.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically an indication that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Stephens reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $105.00 price target on shares of Encompass Health in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. KeyCorp boosted their target price on Encompass Health from $115.00 to $117.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. UBS Group raised their price target on Encompass Health from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 25th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Encompass Health from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, Truist Financial restated a “buy” rating and set a $116.00 target price (up previously from $108.00) on shares of Encompass Health in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $107.11.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Encompass Health

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in shares of Encompass Health by 387.7% in the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 317 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 252 shares in the last quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC lifted its position in Encompass Health by 53.0% during the third quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 404 shares of the company’s stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 140 shares in the last quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Encompass Health during the third quarter worth approximately $40,000. Oakworth Capital Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Encompass Health in the second quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. raised its stake 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 acquiring an additional 198 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.25% of the company’s stock.

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.