Short Interest in Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC) Increases By 23.8%

Encompass Health Corporation (NYSE:EHC) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 4,301,775 shares, an increase of 23.8% from the January 15th total of 3,473,650 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,156,420 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.7 days. Currently, 4.4% of the shares of the company are sold short. Currently, 4.4% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 1,156,420 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.7 days.

Insider Buying and Selling at Encompass Health

In other Encompass Health news, CEO Mark J. Tarr sold 150,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.64, for a total value of $16,746,000.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 377,070 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $42,096,094.80. This represents a 28.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 2.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Encompass Health

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Citizens National Bank Trust Department acquired a new stake in Encompass Health in the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. First Horizon Corp acquired a new position in shares of Encompass Health in the 3rd quarter valued at about $34,000. WPG Advisers LLC raised its stake in Encompass Health by 73.3% during the fourth quarter. WPG Advisers LLC now owns 324 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 137 shares during the period. Westside Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Encompass Health by 56.7% in the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 279 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 101 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Encompass Health in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $37,000. 97.25% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded Encompass Health from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Sunday, January 18th. Raymond James Financial raised shares of Encompass Health to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Encompass Health from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on Encompass Health from $150.00 to $153.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, February 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $143.29.

Encompass Health Trading Down 0.8%

EHC traded down $0.89 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $108.65. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 227,878 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,449,026. The firm has a market cap of $10.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.63, a PEG ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 0.73. Encompass Health has a 52-week low of $92.53 and a 52-week high of $127.99. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $103.92 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $114.57.

Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 5th. The company reported $1.46 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.29 by $0.17. The firm had revenue of $3.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.54 billion. Encompass Health had a net margin of 9.54% and a return on equity of 18.20%. Encompass Health’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.17 earnings per share. Encompass Health has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.810-6.100 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Encompass Health will post 4.8 earnings per share for the current year.

Encompass Health Company Profile

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.