Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC) Shares Bought by Principal Financial Group Inc.

Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its stake in Encompass Health Co. (NYSE:EHC) by 0.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 299,227 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,404 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in Encompass Health were worth $27,634,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of EHC. Creative Planning raised its position in Encompass Health by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 19,086 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,844,000 after purchasing an additional 743 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates raised its position in Encompass Health by 19.2% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 160,545 shares of the company’s stock valued at $15,515,000 after purchasing an additional 25,907 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Encompass Health in the 3rd quarter valued at about $203,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in Encompass Health in the 3rd quarter valued at about $4,241,000. Finally, Tectonic Advisors LLC raised its position in Encompass Health by 4.6% in the 3rd quarter. Tectonic Advisors LLC now owns 6,336 shares of the company’s stock valued at $612,000 after purchasing an additional 280 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.25% of the company’s stock.

Encompass Health Trading Down 2.5 %

NYSE:EHC opened at $97.42 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $95.98 and its 200 day moving average price is $95.89. The company has a market capitalization of $9.81 billion, a PE ratio of 21.84, a P/E/G ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84. Encompass Health Co. has a 52-week low of $73.68 and a 52-week high of $104.55.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.17 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.05 by $0.12. Encompass Health had a return on equity of 17.56% and a net margin of 8.48%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Encompass Health Co. will post 4.8 EPS for the current year.

Encompass Health Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 1st will be paid a $0.17 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 1st. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.70%. Encompass Health’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 15.25%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently commented on EHC. StockNews.com upgraded Encompass Health from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, February 15th. KeyCorp increased their price objective on Encompass Health from $117.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, February 10th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $110.00 price objective on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Truist Financial reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $116.00 price objective (up previously from $108.00) on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, William Blair reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Friday, February 7th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $107.67.

Insider Buying and Selling at Encompass Health

In other Encompass Health news, CAO Andrew L. Price sold 5,042 shares of Encompass Health stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.29, for a total value of $495,578.18. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 69,164 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,798,129.56. This trade represents a 6.79 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 2.10% of the company’s stock.

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.