Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) Reaches New 12-Month High on Insider Buying Activity

Shares of Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday following insider buying activity. The company traded as high as $85.97 and last traded at $85.73, with a volume of 105271 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $84.51.

Specifically, EVP John Patrick Darby sold 14,543 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.94, for a total transaction of $1,220,739.42. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 84,773 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,115,845.62. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Mark J. Tarr sold 44,976 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.27, for a total value of $3,745,151.52. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 554,098 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $46,139,740.46. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP John Patrick Darby sold 14,543 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, May 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.94, for a total transaction of $1,220,739.42. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 84,773 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,115,845.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 2.10% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 25th. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $82.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. William Blair restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Encompass Health in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Stephens restated an “overweight” rating and set a $85.00 target price on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $83.00 price target on shares of Encompass Health in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $90.29.

Encompass Health Trading Up 1.7 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.22, a PEG ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 0.92. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $79.33 and its 200 day moving average price is $71.79.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 24th. The company reported $1.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.93 by $0.19. The company had revenue of $1.32 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.27 billion. Encompass Health had a net margin of 7.60% and a return on equity of 18.01%. Encompass Health’s revenue was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.88 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Encompass Health Co. will post 4.1 earnings per share for the current year.

Encompass Health Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 1st will be paid a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.70%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 28th. Encompass Health’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 16.22%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Encompass Health

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Principal Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in Encompass Health during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. increased its position in shares of Encompass Health by 360.2% in the 4th quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 405 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 317 shares during the period. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in Encompass Health in the 4th quarter worth $30,000. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new stake in Encompass Health during the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. purchased a new stake in Encompass Health during the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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.