Virtus Advisers LLC Buys Shares of 3,901 Encompass Health Corporation $EHC

Key Points

• Virtus Advisers LLC invested approximately $395,000 in Encompass Health Corporation by acquiring 3,901 shares during the 1st quarter.
• Various hedge funds have increased their holdings in Encompass Health, with T. Rowe Price raising its position by 25.6%, owning 2,080,918 shares now valued at over $210 million.
• Encompass Health recently declared a quarterly dividend increase to $0.19 per share, reflecting a strong commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Virtus Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 3,901 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $395,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Colonial Trust Co SC purchased a new stake in Encompass Health in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in Encompass Health by 749.0% in the 1st quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 416 shares of the company's stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 367 shares in the last quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC boosted its position in Encompass Health by 22.9% in 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 in the last quarter. Johnson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Encompass Health in the 4th quarter worth approximately $72,000. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd boosted its position in Encompass Health by 19.0% in 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 in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.25% of the company's stock.

Encompass Health Trading Down 1.4%

Shares of EHC traded down $1.74 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $121.71. The company had a trading volume of 839,898 shares, compared to its average volume of 814,951. Encompass Health Corporation has a 1-year low of $87.85 and a 1-year high of $124.67. The stock has a market cap of $12.26 billion, a PE ratio of 23.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.86. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $116.61 and a 200-day simple moving average of $110.90. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76.

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

Encompass Health Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, October 1st will be given a dividend of $0.19 per share. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 1st. This is a positive change from Encompass Health's previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. Encompass Health's dividend payout ratio is 14.87%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on EHC shares. Truist Financial increased their target price on Encompass Health from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. KeyCorp increased their price objective on Encompass Health from $122.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 27th. UBS Group raised their price objective on Encompass Health from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Stephens upgraded Encompass Health from an "overweight" rating to a "strong-buy" rating and set a $135.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Thursday, June 5th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Encompass Health from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, June 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and six have given a Buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $134.00.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Patrick William Tuer sold 1,020 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.59, for a total transaction of $126,061.80. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 18,846 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,329,177.14. This trade represents a 5.13% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 2.00% 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.