Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC) Stock Position Raised by Natixis Advisors LLC

Key Points

• Nitixis Advisors LLC has increased its stake in Encompass Health Corporation by 5.6%, now owning approximately 102,358 shares valued at $10.37 million.
• Analysts have set a new consensus price target of $131.50 for EHC, with ratings ranging from "buy" to "strong buy" from seven different analysts.
• Encompass Health declared a quarterly dividend of $0.19 per share, marking an increase from the previous dividend of $0.17, effective October 15th.

Natixis Advisors LLC raised its position in Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC - Free Report) by 5.6% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 102,358 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 5,409 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors LLC owned about 0.10% of Encompass Health worth $10,367,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Colonial Trust Co SC acquired a new position in Encompass Health in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Transce3nd LLC purchased a new stake in Encompass Health in the 4th quarter worth $40,000. Arlington Trust Co LLC raised its position in Encompass Health by 22.9% during the first quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC now owns 671 shares of the company's stock worth $68,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares during the period. Johnson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Encompass Health during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $72,000. Finally, Mowery & Schoenfeld Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Encompass Health in the first quarter worth approximately $87,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.25% of the company's stock.

Encompass Health Trading Up 4.2%

Shares of NYSE EHC traded up $4.65 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $114.15. 2,195,414 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,151,600. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $116.70 and a 200-day moving average price of $108.26. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. The company has a market capitalization of $11.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.34, a P/E/G ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.86. Encompass Health Corporation has a 52-week low of $82.74 and a 52-week high of $123.13.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 4th. The company reported $1.40 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.20 by $0.20. Encompass Health had a return on equity of 18.23% and a net margin of 9.22%. The business had revenue of $1.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.43 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.11 EPS. The company's revenue was up 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Encompass Health Corporation will post 4.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Encompass Health Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 1st will be given a $0.19 dividend. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 1st. This is an increase from Encompass Health's previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. Encompass Health's payout ratio is presently 14.05%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

EHC has been the topic of several recent research reports. KeyCorp lifted their target price on shares of Encompass Health from $122.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 27th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Encompass Health from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, June 6th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Encompass Health from $118.00 to $129.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. UBS Group boosted their target price on Encompass Health from $117.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, April 28th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on Encompass Health from $110.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, April 28th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $131.50.

Insider Buying and Selling at Encompass Health

In related news, CEO Mark J. Tarr sold 118,384 shares of Encompass Health stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $121.53, for a total value of $14,387,207.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 527,070 shares in the company, valued at approximately $64,054,817.10. This trade represents a 18.34% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 2.10% 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.