Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC) Shares Sold by BNP Paribas Financial Markets

BNP Paribas Financial Markets decreased its holdings in shares of Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC - Free Report) by 7.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 35,387 shares of the company's stock after selling 3,010 shares during the quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets' holdings in Encompass Health were worth $3,268,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Encompass Health by 0.8% in the fourth quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 804,029 shares of the company's stock worth $74,252,000 after purchasing an additional 6,557 shares during the last quarter. Algert Global LLC grew its holdings in Encompass Health by 15.0% in the fourth quarter. Algert Global LLC now owns 173,144 shares of the company's stock worth $15,990,000 after purchasing an additional 22,574 shares during the last quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC increased its position in Encompass Health by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 47,530 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,389,000 after buying an additional 430 shares in the last quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC increased its stake in Encompass Health by 22.7% during the 4th quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 88,696 shares of the company's stock valued at $8,191,000 after purchasing an additional 16,410 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AXA S.A. lifted its holdings in shares of Encompass Health by 132.6% during the fourth quarter. AXA S.A. now owns 66,866 shares of the company's stock worth $6,175,000 after purchasing an additional 38,117 shares during the period. 97.25% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Encompass Health Stock Performance

NYSE EHC traded up $0.28 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $121.15. The company had a trading volume of 543,136 shares, compared to its average volume of 694,096. The business has a 50 day moving average of $105.43 and a 200-day moving average of $100.74. The company has a market cap of $12.21 billion, a PE ratio of 27.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.05. Encompass Health Co. has a 1-year low of $82.74 and a 1-year high of $122.25.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The company reported $1.37 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.19 by $0.18. Encompass Health had a net margin of 8.48% and a return on equity of 17.56%. The business had revenue of $1.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.43 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.12 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 10.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Encompass Health Co. will post 4.8 EPS for the current year.

Encompass Health Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.17 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 1st. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.56%. Encompass Health's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 14.05%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Elissa Joy Charbonneau sold 4,279 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $116.61, for a total transaction of $498,974.19. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 11,958 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,394,422.38. This trade represents a 26.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP John Patrick Darby sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.79, for a total transaction of $1,147,900.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 79,710 shares in the company, valued at $9,149,910.90. This trade represents a 11.15% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 2.00% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

EHC has been the subject of several analyst reports. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Encompass Health from $118.00 to $129.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, April 25th. StockNews.com upgraded Encompass Health from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Sunday, May 11th. KeyCorp upped their price objective on Encompass Health from $120.00 to $122.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $117.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Finally, Truist Financial reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $135.00 price objective (up previously from $116.00) on shares of Encompass Health in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $120.86.

About Encompass Health

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.