Louisiana State Employees Retirement System Makes New Investment in Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC)

Louisiana State Employees Retirement System purchased a new position in shares of Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 28,200 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,882,000.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. McGlone Suttner Wealth Management Inc. bought a new position in Encompass Health during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Encompass Health in the 3rd quarter valued at $35,000. Worth Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Encompass Health in the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. Belpointe Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Encompass Health by 88.2% in the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 781 shares of the company’s stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 366 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quarry LP bought a new stake in shares of Encompass Health in the 1st quarter valued at $42,000. Institutional investors own 97.25% of the company’s stock.

Encompass Health Price Performance

EHC opened at $78.64 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The company has a market capitalization of $7.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.66, a P/E/G ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 0.94. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $77.26 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $70.22. Encompass Health Co. has a 1 year low of $57.55 and a 1 year high of $83.73.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 7th. The company reported $0.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $1.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.24 billion. Encompass Health had a net margin of 7.33% and a return on equity of 17.69%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Encompass Health Co. will post 3.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Encompass Health Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 1st were issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.76%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 28th. Encompass Health’s dividend payout ratio is 17.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently weighed in on EHC. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on shares of Encompass Health from $82.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, February 9th. William Blair reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Encompass Health in a research note on Wednesday, February 7th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $83.00 price objective on shares of Encompass Health in a research note on Friday, February 9th. Stephens reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $85.00 price target on shares of Encompass Health in a research report on Tuesday, January 16th. Finally, Mizuho lifted their price target on shares of Encompass Health from $77.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, February 9th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Encompass Health has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $83.22.

About Encompass Health

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.