Sivik Global Healthcare LLC Sells 5,000 Shares of Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC)

Sivik Global Healthcare LLC reduced its position in shares of Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC) by 9.1% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 50,000 shares of the company’s stock after selling 5,000 shares during the period. Encompass Health accounts for approximately 2.0% of Sivik Global Healthcare LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position. Sivik Global Healthcare LLC’s holdings in Encompass Health were worth $4,832,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC grew its stake in shares of Encompass Health by 37.4% in the 1st quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 9,521 shares of the company’s stock worth $786,000 after buying an additional 2,592 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. grew its position in Encompass Health by 10.6% during the first quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 6,410 shares of the company’s stock valued at $529,000 after buying an additional 616 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in Encompass Health by 23.4% during the first quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 7,738 shares of the company’s stock valued at $639,000 after purchasing an additional 1,467 shares during the period. Entropy Technologies LP lifted its stake in shares of Encompass Health by 32.5% during the 1st quarter. Entropy Technologies LP now owns 11,398 shares of the company’s stock valued at $941,000 after buying an additional 2,798 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System lifted its holdings in shares of Encompass Health by 4.2% in the first quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 100,216 shares of the company’s stock worth $8,276,000 after buying an additional 4,005 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.25% of the company’s stock.

Encompass Health Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:EHC traded down $0.11 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $102.58. The stock had a trading volume of 7,030 shares, compared to its average volume of 638,144. The company has a market capitalization of $10.33 billion, a PE ratio of 24.80, a P/E/G ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 0.88. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $96.08 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $90.07. Encompass Health Co. has a 1 year low of $63.59 and a 1 year high of $104.55. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) last issued its earnings results on Monday, October 28th. The company reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.94 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $1.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.33 billion. Encompass Health had a net margin of 8.10% and a return on equity of 17.60%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.86 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Encompass Health Co. will post 4.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Encompass Health Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, January 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 2nd. Encompass Health’s payout ratio is 16.43%.

Encompass Health declared that its board has approved a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to repurchase $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to buy up to 5.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on EHC. Truist Financial reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $116.00 price target (up from $108.00) on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $105.00 price target on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Tuesday, August 6th. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Encompass Health from $100.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 25th. KeyCorp raised their price objective on shares of Encompass Health from $115.00 to $117.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of Encompass Health from $105.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $107.11.

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.