U.S. Physical Therapy (NYSE:USPH) Trading Up 15.8% After Better-Than-Expected Earnings

Shares of U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc. (NYSE:USPH) rose 15.8% during trading on Wednesday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The company traded as high as $95.61 and last traded at $95.61. Approximately 75,343 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 17% from the average daily volume of 90,349 shares. The stock had previously closed at $82.53.

The company reported $0.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.01. U.S. Physical Therapy had a net margin of 4.06% and a return on equity of 8.18%. The firm had revenue of $168.03 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $163.97 million.

U.S. Physical Therapy Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Investors of record on Friday, November 15th will be paid a $0.44 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 15th. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.81%. U.S. Physical Therapy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 166.04%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Bank of America reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $90.00 target price (down previously from $114.00) on shares of U.S. Physical Therapy in a report on Monday, October 7th. Barrington Research restated an “outperform” rating and set a $108.00 price objective on shares of U.S. Physical Therapy in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of U.S. Physical Therapy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 21st.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Kathleen A. Gilmartin bought 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $86.09 per share, with a total value of $172,180.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 18,904 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,627,445.36. This represents a 0.00 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, COO Graham D. Reeve sold 1,724 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.50, for a total transaction of $142,230.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 7,038 shares in the company, valued at approximately $580,635. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Kathleen A. Gilmartin acquired 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $86.09 per share, with a total value of $172,180.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 18,904 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,627,445.36. This represents a 0.00 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.70% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of U.S. Physical Therapy during the first quarter valued at about $8,158,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its stake in U.S. Physical Therapy by 763.7% during the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 69,523 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,425,000 after buying an additional 61,474 shares during the period. Penn Davis Mcfarland Inc. bought a new stake in shares of U.S. Physical Therapy during the 3rd quarter worth about $2,552,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its stake in shares of U.S. Physical Therapy by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 423,846 shares of the company’s stock worth $39,173,000 after acquiring an additional 10,462 shares during the period. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of U.S. Physical Therapy by 1.0% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,072,602 shares of the company’s stock valued at $121,065,000 after acquiring an additional 10,175 shares in the last quarter.

U.S. Physical Therapy Stock Up 17.7 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 1.88 and a quick ratio of 1.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 91.60, a PEG ratio of 3.93 and a beta of 1.38. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $83.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $91.53.

About U.S. Physical Therapy

U.S. Physical Therapy, Inc operates outpatient physical therapy clinics. The company operates through Physical Therapy Operations and Industrial Injury Prevention Services segments. The company provides pre-and post-operative care and treatment for orthopedic-related disorders, sports-related injuries, preventative care, rehabilitation of injured workers, and neurological-related injuries.