Lazard Asset Management LLC Grows Position in Encompass Health Corporation $EHC

Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC) by 34.5% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 98,693 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 25,335 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Encompass Health were worth $9,547,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of EHC. Dean Capital Management increased its position in Encompass Health by 12.5% in the 1st quarter. Dean Capital Management now owns 22,241 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,151,000 after acquiring an additional 2,478 shares during the period. Rice Hall James & Associates LLC lifted its position in Encompass Health by 5.1% during the 1st quarter. Rice Hall James & Associates LLC now owns 40,338 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,902,000 after acquiring an additional 1,940 shares during the period. Entropy Technologies LP purchased a new position in shares of Encompass Health in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $2,895,000. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund acquired a new position in shares of Encompass Health in the first quarter valued at approximately $3,923,000. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC raised its stake in shares of Encompass Health by 288.6% during the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 265,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,633,000 after purchasing an additional 196,800 shares during the last quarter. 97.25% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Patrick William Tuer sold 682 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.56, for a total value of $71,309.92. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 24,755 shares in the company, valued at $2,588,382.80. This trade represents a 2.68% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 1.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Encompass Health Stock Down 1.9%

EHC opened at $113.79 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 1.17. Encompass Health Corporation has a 12 month low of $92.77 and a 12 month high of $127.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.00, a P/E/G ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.74. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $105.50 and a 200-day simple moving average of $103.94.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The company reported $1.60 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.51 by $0.09. Encompass Health had a return on equity of 18.28% and a net margin of 10.04%.The firm had revenue of $1.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.57 billion. Encompass Health’s quarterly revenue was up 9.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.37 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Encompass Health Corporation will post 5.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Encompass Health Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 1st will be issued a $0.21 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 1st. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. This is a boost from Encompass Health’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.19. Encompass Health’s payout ratio is 12.69%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

EHC has been the subject of several recent research reports. Barclays decreased their price target on Encompass Health from $153.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, May 5th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Encompass Health from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, May 2nd. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Encompass Health from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Friday, June 26th. Leerink Partners set a $152.00 target price on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Friday, May 22nd. Finally, TD Cowen began coverage on shares of Encompass Health in a research note on Thursday, May 28th. They set a “buy” rating and a $125.00 price target on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $143.86.

About Encompass Health

Encompass Health Corporation is a leading provider of post‐acute healthcare services in the United States, operating a comprehensive network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and home health and hospice agencies. Its inpatient rehabilitation hospitals offer intensive therapy programs for patients recovering from conditions such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, cardiac and pulmonary disorders, and orthopedic procedures. Through its home health segment, Encompass Health delivers skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy to patients in the comfort of their homes, while its hospice services provide end‐of‐life care focused on symptom management and emotional support for patients and families.

Founded in 1984 as HealthSouth Corporation and rebranded as Encompass Health in 2018, the company has grown organically and through acquisitions to serve patients across more than 30 states.