Westover Capital Advisors LLC Buys Shares of 33,266 Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC)

Key Points

• Westover Capital Advisors LLC has invested approximately $3.37 million in Encompass Health Corporation, acquiring over 33,000 shares of its stock.
• Encompass Health recently announced a dividend increase, now offering a $0.19 quarterly dividend, with a yield of 0.71%.
• Several analysts have upgraded their ratings for Encompass Health, with expectations of future growth reflected in price targets ranging from $125.00 to $135.00.

Westover Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 33,266 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,369,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Colonial Trust Co SC bought a new position in Encompass Health during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Transce3nd LLC bought a new position in Encompass Health during the 4th quarter worth $40,000. Arlington Trust Co LLC grew its stake in 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 buying an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. grew its position in Encompass Health by 73.6% in the 4th quarter. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. now owns 750 shares of the company's stock valued at $69,000 after buying an additional 318 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Johnson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in Encompass Health in the 4th quarter valued at about $72,000. 97.25% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at Encompass Health

In other news, insider Elissa Joy Charbonneau sold 4,279 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.61, for a total transaction of $498,974.19. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 11,958 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,394,422.38. This represents a 26.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Mark J. Tarr sold 118,384 shares of the company's 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 sale, the chief executive officer owned 527,070 shares in the company, valued at $64,054,817.10. The trade was a 18.34% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 2.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

Encompass Health Price Performance

Shares of Encompass Health stock traded up $0.47 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $107.64. 204,873 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 800,409. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 1.06. The firm has a market cap of $10.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.25, a PEG ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.88. Encompass Health Corporation has a 52 week low of $82.74 and a 52 week high of $123.13. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $117.71 and a 200-day simple moving average of $107.71.

Encompass Health Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced 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 boost from Encompass Health's previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. This represents a $0.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.71%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, October 1st. Encompass Health's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 15.70%.

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.