Comerica Bank Reduces Holdings in Encompass Health Corporation $EHC

Key Points

• Comerica Bank reduced its holdings in Encompass Health Corporation by 25.1%, selling 15,276 shares to own 45,679 shares worth approximately $4.6 million.
• Analyst ratings for Encompass Health include upgrades to a "strong-buy" from Stephens and an increased target price to $140 from UBS, indicating positive sentiment in the market.
• Encompass Health recently announced an increase in its quarterly dividend from $0.17 to $0.19 per share, representing a 0.6% yield and a dividend payout ratio of 13.31%.

Comerica Bank lowered its position in Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC - Free Report) by 25.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 45,679 shares of the company's stock after selling 15,276 shares during the period. Comerica Bank's holdings in Encompass Health were worth $4,626,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Colonial Trust Co SC acquired a new position in shares of Encompass Health in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its position in shares of Encompass Health by 749.0% in the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 416 shares of the company's stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 367 shares during the period. Arlington Trust Co LLC raised its position in shares of Encompass Health by 22.9% during the 1st quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC now owns 671 shares of the company's stock worth $68,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its position in shares of Encompass Health by 19.0% during the 1st quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 720 shares of the company's stock worth $73,000 after purchasing an additional 115 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SVB Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Encompass Health during the 1st quarter worth about $84,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.25% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Encompass Health

In other news, EVP Patrick William Tuer sold 1,020 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.59, for a total value of $126,061.80. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 18,846 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,329,177.14. This represents a 5.13% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 2.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Encompass Health Price Performance

NYSE EHC traded up $0.77 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $124.40. 653,746 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 653,688. Encompass Health Corporation has a 52-week low of $87.85 and a 52-week high of $124.68. The company has a market capitalization of $12.53 billion, a PE ratio of 24.34, a PEG ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 1.06. The firm's 50-day moving average is $116.86 and its 200-day moving average is $111.70.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 4th. The company reported $1.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.20 by $0.20. Encompass Health had a net margin of 9.22% and a return on equity of 17.83%. The company had revenue of $1.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.43 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.11 EPS. Encompass Health's revenue was up 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Encompass Health has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.340 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Encompass Health Corporation will post 4.8 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Encompass Health Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 1st will be paid a $0.19 dividend. This is a positive change from Encompass Health's previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 1st. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Encompass Health's dividend payout ratio is currently 13.31%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Stephens upgraded shares of Encompass Health from an "overweight" rating to a "strong-buy" rating and set a $135.00 price target for the company in a research report on Thursday, June 5th. Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. KeyCorp upped their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $122.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 27th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Encompass Health from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, June 6th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and six have assigned a Buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $134.00.

Encompass Health 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.