GAMMA Investing LLC Raises Stake in Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC)

GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC) by 31.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 616 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 149 shares during the quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC’s holdings in Encompass Health were worth $51,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Encompass Health during the fourth quarter valued at $20,210,000. Jackson Creek Investment Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Encompass Health by 364.4% in the 4th quarter. Jackson Creek Investment Advisors LLC now owns 13,910 shares of the company’s stock valued at $928,000 after buying an additional 10,915 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Encompass Health by 2.3% in the fourth quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 1,318,784 shares of the company’s stock worth $87,989,000 after buying an additional 29,926 shares during the last quarter. Phocas Financial Corp. grew its holdings in Encompass Health by 112.4% during the fourth quarter. Phocas Financial Corp. now owns 99,875 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,664,000 after acquiring an additional 52,847 shares during the period. Finally, TimesSquare Capital Management LLC raised its position in Encompass Health by 18.1% during the fourth quarter. TimesSquare Capital Management LLC now owns 1,150,866 shares of the company’s stock valued at $76,786,000 after acquiring an additional 175,975 shares in the last quarter. 97.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Encompass Health Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of EHC opened at $85.37 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $84.30 and a 200 day moving average price of $77.04. Encompass Health Co. has a one year low of $57.55 and a one year high of $87.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a current ratio of 1.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.07, a PEG ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.90.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 24th. The company reported $1.12 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.93 by $0.19. The business had revenue of $1.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.27 billion. Encompass Health had a net margin of 7.60% and a return on equity of 18.01%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.88 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Encompass Health Co. will post 4.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Encompass Health Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 1st will be issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 1st. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.70%. Encompass Health’s payout ratio is 16.22%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Mark J. Tarr sold 44,976 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.27, for a total value of $3,745,151.52. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 554,098 shares in the company, valued at $46,139,740.46. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Encompass Health news, CEO Mark J. Tarr sold 44,976 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, April 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $83.27, for a total transaction of $3,745,151.52. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 554,098 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $46,139,740.46. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Greg D. Carmichael purchased 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 3rd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $83.73 per share, for a total transaction of $167,460.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 17,050 shares in the company, valued at $1,427,596.50. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 69,519 shares of company stock valued at $5,816,091 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 2.10% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

EHC has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Raymond James reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating and set a $95.00 price objective (up previously from $85.00) on shares of Encompass Health in a research note on Friday, April 26th. Stephens reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $94.00 price objective on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Wednesday, June 5th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Encompass Health from $101.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 25th. Mizuho upped their price target on Encompass Health from $93.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, April 25th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Encompass Health from $83.00 to $95.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 22nd. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $93.29.

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.