Core Viewpoint - Encompass Health Corporation (EHC) is well-positioned for growth by providing high-quality, cost-effective integrated care, achieving a 28.8% increase year-to-date, significantly outperforming the industry average of 2.7% [1] Company Overview - Encompass Health has a market capitalization of $12 billion and operates as an integrated healthcare services company based in Birmingham, AL, with a network of 166 inpatient rehabilitation hospitals across 38 states and Puerto Rico [2] - The company's forward P/E ratio stands at 22.78X, higher than the industry average of 19.62X, reflecting growing investor confidence [2] Financial Performance and Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EHC's 2025 earnings is $5.01 per share, indicating a 13.1% year-over-year increase, with eight upward estimate revisions in the past two months [4] - Revenue estimates for 2025 are pegged at $5.9 billion, suggesting a 9.5% year-over-year rise, with the company beating earnings estimates in the past four quarters with an average surprise of 12.3% [4] Growth Drivers - Revenue growth is driven by increased discharges and pricing, with total discharges rising 6.3% year-over-year in Q1 2025 and net patient revenue per discharge growing 3.9% year-over-year, surpassing estimates by 1.6% [5] - The company plans to continue investing in its clinical team and expand its hospital network, including seven new facilities with 340 beds and a 50-bed freestanding satellite hospital in 2025 [6] Financial Stability - EHC's financial stability is supported by a strong liquidity position, holding $95.8 million in cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2025, a 12.2% increase from the end of 2024 [7] - Operating cash flows increased by 17.9% year-over-year in 2024 and 20.9% in Q1 2025 [7] - The trailing 12-month return on invested capital is 9.7%, exceeding the industry average of 5.8% [8] Revenue and EPS Guidance - The company has increased its net operating revenue forecast to a range of $5.85 billion to $5.925 billion [8] - Adjusted EPS guidance has been raised to between $4.85 and $5.10 [10]

Group 1: Encompass Health (EHC) - Encompass Health is a provider of integrated healthcare services with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 4.4% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a PEG ratio of 2.42, which is lower than the industry average of 2.53, and possesses a Growth Score of A [1] Group 2: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock is the largest provider of dredging services in the US, maintaining and deepening shipping channels [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 34.8% over the last 60 days [2] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.98, significantly lower than the industry average of 1.57, and possesses a Growth Score of A [2] Group 3: The ODP Corporation (ODP) - The ODP Corporation provides business services, products, and digital workplace technology solutions to various business sizes [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 18.4% over the last 60 days [3] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.38, which is much lower than the industry average of 3.86, and possesses a Growth Score of B [3]

Core Insights - Encompass Health Corporation (EHC) has inaugurated the Rehabilitation Hospital of Fort Myers in partnership with Lee Health, marking a significant expansion in Florida's healthcare landscape [1][5] - The new facility is equipped with 60 beds and offers advanced rehabilitation services, including tailored therapies for patients recovering from various conditions [3][4] - EHC's overall strategy includes increasing its facility count, which has reached 168 hospitals, contributing to a projected revenue growth of 9.6% in 2025 [7] Group 1: Facility and Services - The Rehabilitation Hospital of Fort Myers features modern amenities such as a therapy gym, dialysis unit, and private patient rooms, aimed at enhancing patient recovery [3] - Patients will receive at least three hours of intensive therapy five days a week, along with 24-hour nursing support, which is expected to improve health outcomes in the region [4] Group 2: Strategic Partnerships and Expansion - The partnership with Lee Health is part of EHC's strategy to strengthen its presence in Florida, with the Fort Myers hospital being its 22nd facility in the state [5] - EHC has plans for further expansion, including a new 50-bed rehabilitation hospital in Apollo Beach, FL [5] Group 3: Financial Performance - EHC reported a 10.6% year-over-year revenue increase in Q1 2025, with management estimating operating revenues between $5.85 billion and $5.925 billion for the year [7] - The company's share price has increased by 42.6% over the past year, significantly outperforming the industry average of 5.7% [8]

Core Insights - The Rehabilitation Hospital of Fort Myers aims to provide essential rehabilitative services for patients recovering from various conditions, including strokes and spinal cord injuries, with a focus on regaining function and independence [1] - The hospital features advanced rehabilitation technologies and a comprehensive care approach, including physical, occupational, and speech therapies [2][3] - Encompass Health operates the hospital as part of its extensive network, which includes 168 inpatient rehabilitation hospitals across the United States [4] Company Overview - Encompass Health is the largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the U.S., with a presence in 38 states and Puerto Rico [4] - The company is recognized for its high-quality rehabilitative care and has received accolades from Fortune and Forbes for its workplace environment and trustworthiness [4] Partnership and Community Impact - The partnership between Encompass Health and Lee Health aims to enhance access to high-quality rehabilitative care in the Fort Myers community [3] - Lee Health has a long-standing history in Southwest Florida, evolving to meet community health needs since 1916 [6]

Market Overview - The U.S. stock market remains strong despite concerns over credit downgrade and fiscal outlook, with major indexes finishing higher due to optimism from U.S.-China trade talks [1] - A temporary 90-day pause in tariffs and an agreement to lower mutual tariffs to 10% have positively influenced market sentiment [1] - The S&P 500 has closed higher in 16 of the past 19 trading days, indicating a strong performance [1] Inflation and Economic Indicators - Easing inflation indicators, with both CPI and PPI showing signs of cooling, have contributed to market buoyancy [2] - Despite Moody's downgrade raising long-term concerns about debt, the focus remains on near-term growth momentum and improving global trade relations [2] Investment Strategy - A relative price strength strategy is recommended, focusing on stocks that outperform the broader market [2][4] - Stocks that are underperforming on fundamental factors should be avoided, while those outperforming their sectors in price should be selected for better returns [5] Stock Recommendations - Recommended stocks based on relative price strength include Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD), Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (SFM), EverQuote, Inc. (EVER), and Encompass Health Corp. (EHC) [3] Screening Parameters - Stocks should be screened based on relative price change over 12 weeks, 4 weeks, and 1 week, as well as positive current-quarter estimate revisions [8] - Only Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) stocks that have historically outperformed the S&P 500 are considered [9] Company Highlights - **Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD)**: Market cap of $760.8 million, with a 34.8% upward revision in 2025 earnings estimates and a 15.6% increase in shares over the past year [11][10] - **Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (SFM)**: Unique grocery model with a market cap of $1.5 billion, showing a 35.5% growth in 2025 earnings estimates and a 115.4% increase in shares over the past year [12][13] - **EverQuote, Inc. (EVER)**: Market cap of $867 million, with a 33% growth in 2025 earnings estimates, but shares have decreased by 3.5% in the past year [13][14] - **Encompass Health Corp. (EHC)**: Market cap not specified, with a 13.1% growth in 2025 earnings estimates and a 41.2% increase in shares over the past year [15]

Group 1: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD) - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation is a dredging services company with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 34.8% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.01, which is lower than the industry average of 1.59, and possesses a Growth Score of A [1] Group 2: Encompass Health Corporation (EHC) - Encompass Health Corporation is a post-acute healthcare services company with a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 4.4% over the last 60 days [2] - The company has a PEG ratio of 2.46, which is lower than the industry average of 2.73, and possesses a Growth Score of A [2] Group 3: Unisys Corporation (UIS) - Unisys Corporation is an information technology solutions company with a Zacks Rank 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 132% over the last 60 days [3] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.62, significantly lower than the industry average of 2.62, and possesses a Growth Score of B [3]

Encompass Health (EHC) 2025 Conference Summary Company Overview - Encompass Health is the largest operator of inpatient rehabilitation facilities in the United States [1] Key Points and Arguments Volume Growth and Capacity - Encompass Health has a long-term target for discharge growth of 6% to 8% annually, with total discharge growth exceeding 6% for the last eleven quarters [6][8] - The company reported a first-quarter discharge growth of 10% in the previous year, influenced by an extra day due to leap year and the quarter ending on Easter Sunday [7] - In 2025, Encompass Health plans to open seven new hospitals, with five openings occurring after September, which will affect growth rates [8] - The expected breakdown for discharge growth is approximately two-thirds from same-store growth and one-third from new store growth [8] Occupancy Rates and Bed Expansion - The occupancy rate reached 78.8%, the highest ever recorded, reflecting a systematic increase in private room availability [10] - The percentage of private rooms in the portfolio increased from 40% in 2020 to 56% by the end of Q1 2025, enhancing occupancy levels [12] - Bed expansions are projected to yield high returns, with internal rates of return (IRR) exceeding 30% [13][14] - The company plans to add approximately 120 beds to existing hospitals in 2026 and 2027 [14] Joint Ventures and Market Strategy - Joint ventures (JVs) account for about 40% of Encompass Health's business, with a robust pipeline of potential partnerships [26] - JVs provide advantages such as faster ramp-up times and management fees, enhancing financial returns [27][28] - The company employs a data-driven approach to identify markets for new facilities, considering demographics, competition, and local healthcare needs [19] Medicare Advantage and Payer Mix - The Medicare Advantage payer mix has increased from under 9% in 2018 to approximately 30% in Q1 2025, with ongoing efforts to improve this further [35] - The reimbursement gap between Medicare Advantage and fee-for-service has narrowed from over 25% to less than 2% [36] - The conversion rate for Medicare Advantage referrals to admissions is currently about half that of fee-for-service, indicating significant growth potential [42] Regulatory Environment and Risks - Encompass Health does not foresee immediate risks from potential Medicare cuts, as IRFs represent less than 2% of overall Medicare expenditures [50] - The company is subject to frequent audits and maintains a low bad debt expense of around 2% [51] - There has been no recent discussion regarding the home health transfer policy, which had previously raised concerns [54] Cost Management and Financial Strategy - Construction costs for new facilities are approximately $1.2 million per bed, with bed expansions costing between $800,000 and $850,000 per bed [58] - The company has not observed upward pressure on construction or supply costs, benefiting from reduced demand among contractors [60] - Encompass Health repurchased $32 million of its stock in Q1 2025, indicating a commitment to returning value to shareholders while expanding capacity [64] Additional Important Insights - The aging demographic is a significant driver of growth, with projections indicating that one in five Americans will be over 65 by 2030 [17][18] - The company emphasizes its value proposition in treating complex medical conditions, which resonates with Medicare Advantage plans [40] - Encompass Health's strategic focus on expanding its capacity and improving payer mix positions it well for future growth opportunities [63]

Core Viewpoint - Encompass Health Corporation (EHC) is expanding its operations by planning to build a new 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Apollo Beach, Florida, to enhance access to advanced rehabilitation services for patients recovering from serious medical conditions [1][2]. Company Expansion Plans - The new facility in Apollo Beach is part of EHC's broader growth strategy in high-demand markets, aiming to bring personalized rehabilitative care closer to patients and strengthen the brand's visibility in a growing community [2]. - EHC currently operates 167 hospitals across 38 states and Puerto Rico, with plans to open seven de novo hospitals and add 340 beds in 2025, along with a 50-bed satellite hospital [4]. - The company aims to inaugurate six to ten de novo hospitals each year from 2023 to 2027, with annual bed additions ranging from 80 to 120 [5]. Market Position and Performance - EHC's expansion reflects confidence in the profitability of entering underserved, high-growth regions, positioning the company to capture a larger share of the post-acute care market in Florida [3]. - Shares of Encompass Health have increased by 26.6% year-to-date, outperforming the industry growth of 4.2% [6]. - The company holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating strong market confidence [7].

Core Viewpoint - Encompass Health (EHC) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which significantly influence stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with stock price movements, particularly due to institutional investors adjusting their valuations based on these estimates [4][6]. - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Encompass Health is expected to earn $4.98 per share, reflecting a 12.4% increase from the previous year, with a 5.5% rise in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [8]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - Only the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks receive a 'Strong Buy' rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions, which positions Encompass Health favorably for potential market-beating returns [9][10].

Company Overview - Encompass Health (EHC) currently holds a Momentum Style Score of A, indicating strong momentum characteristics [2] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting a favorable outlook for investors [3] Price Performance - EHC shares have increased by 2.88% over the past week, outperforming the Zacks Medical - Outpatient and Home Healthcare industry, which rose by 2.41% [5] - Over the past month, EHC's price change is 19.07%, significantly higher than the industry's 2.41% [5] - In the last quarter, EHC shares have risen by 16.8%, and over the past year, they have gained 40.17%, while the S&P 500 has moved -5.55% and 13.72%, respectively [6] Trading Volume - EHC's average 20-day trading volume is 1,151,747 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [7] Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, 7 earnings estimates for EHC have been revised upwards, with no downward revisions, leading to an increase in the consensus estimate from $4.80 to $4.96 [9] - For the next fiscal year, 7 estimates have also moved upwards without any downward revisions [9] Conclusion - Given the strong price performance, positive earnings outlook, and high momentum score, EHC is positioned as a solid investment opportunity [11]