Core Viewpoint - Encompass Health Corporation reported strong financial results for Q4 2024, with significant growth in net operating revenue and adjusted EBITDA, driven by increased discharges and operational capacity expansion [2][3][12]. Financial Performance - Net operating revenue for Q4 2024 was $1,405.0 million, up from $1,246.8 million in Q4 2023, representing a growth of 12.7% [2][12]. - Income from continuing operations attributable to Encompass Health per diluted share increased to $1.18, a 25.5% rise from $0.94 in the previous year [2][12]. - Adjusted earnings per share rose to $1.17, reflecting a 23.2% increase from $0.95 [2][12]. - Cash flows from operating activities increased by 38.7% to $278.8 million compared to $201.0 million in Q4 2023 [2][12]. - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2024 was $289.6 million, a 13.6% increase from $255.0 million in Q4 2023 [2][12]. Operational Highlights - The company reported 63,839 discharges in Q4 2024, a 7.8% increase from 59,247 in Q4 2023, with same-store discharge growth of 5.8% [2][12]. - Net patient revenue per discharge increased by 4.2%, reaching $21,399 compared to $20,538 in the previous year [2][12]. - For the full year 2024, net operating revenue grew by 11.9% and adjusted EBITDA increased by 13.7% [3]. Capacity Expansion - In 2024, Encompass Health expanded its capacity by adding 427 beds through new hospitals and bed additions to existing facilities [3]. 2025 Guidance - The company provided guidance for 2025, projecting net operating revenue between $5,800 million and $5,900 million, and adjusted EBITDA between $1,160 million and $1,200 million [5]. - Adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations are expected to be in the range of $4.67 to $4.96 [5]. Company Overview - Encompass Health is the largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the U.S., with 166 hospitals across 38 states and Puerto Rico [8]. - The company is recognized for providing high-quality rehabilitative care and has received accolades from Fortune and Forbes [8].

Core Points - Encompass Health Corp. has been named to Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies list for 2025, marking five consecutive years of recognition [1][2] - The recognition reflects the exceptional care provided by the company's clinicians and the trust built with patients, partners, and investors [2] - Encompass Health operates 166 hospitals across 38 states and Puerto Rico, focusing on high-quality rehabilitative care for patients recovering from major injuries or illnesses [4] Company Overview - Encompass Health is the largest owner and operator of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the United States [4] - The company utilizes advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize patient recovery [4] - Encompass Health has received additional accolades, including being ranked among Becker's Hospital Review's 150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare and Forbes' Most Trusted Companies in America [4] Recognition Process - The World's Most Admired Companies list is determined through a survey conducted by Korn Ferry, which evaluates companies based on nine criteria including investment value, quality of management, and social responsibility [3] - The initial candidate list includes the 1,000 largest U.S. companies by revenue and non-U.S. companies with revenues of $10 billion or more, narrowing down to the top companies in each industry [2][3]

Core Insights - Analysts project Encompass Health (EHC) will report quarterly earnings of $1.02 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 7.4% [1] - Revenue is expected to reach $1.38 billion, marking a 10.4% increase from the same quarter last year [1] - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised down by 0.3% in the past 30 days, indicating a reassessment by covering analysts [2] Earnings Estimates and Revisions - Revisions to earnings estimates are crucial indicators for predicting investor actions regarding the stock [3] - There is a strong correlation between earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price performance [3] Key Metrics Projections - Analysts estimate 'Revenues- Inpatient Rehabilitation' will be $1.33 billion, a 9.6% increase year-over-year [5] - 'Revenues- Outpatient and other' are projected to reach $37.68 million, indicating a year-over-year change of 25.6% [5] - 'Net patient revenue per discharge' is expected to be $21,059.38, up from $20,538 in the previous year [5] - Total discharges are projected to reach 63,313, compared to 59,247 in the same quarter last year [6] Stock Performance - Encompass Health shares have increased by 10.5% in the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's 1.7% increase [6] - Despite the recent performance, EHC holds a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), suggesting expected underperformance relative to the overall market in the near term [6]

Company Overview - Encompass Health Corp. is the largest owner and operator of rehabilitation hospitals in the United States, with a national footprint of 166 hospitals across 38 states and Puerto Rico [3] - The company provides high-quality rehabilitative care for patients recovering from major injuries or illnesses, utilizing advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery [3] - Encompass Health has received recognition as one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies, Becker's Hospital Review's 150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare, and Forbes' Most Trusted Companies in America [3] Upcoming Financial Reporting - Encompass Health will report its fourth quarter results for the period ended December 31, 2024, after market close on February 6, 2025 [1] - An investor conference call is scheduled for February 7, 2025, at 10 a.m. ET to discuss the results [1] Conference Call Access - The conference call can be accessed by dialing 800-579-2543 for domestic callers and 785-424-1789 for international callers, using the conference ID EHCQ424 [2] - Participants are advised to call approximately 10 minutes before the start of the call to ensure connection [2] - A live webcast and online replay of the conference call will be available on the company's investor website [2]

Core Insights - Encompass Health Corp. has been recognized by Forbes as one of the Most Trusted Companies in America, ranking fourth in the Health Care Equipment and Services category [1][2]. Company Overview - Encompass Health is the largest owner and operator of rehabilitation hospitals in the United States, with a national presence that includes 166 hospitals across 38 states and Puerto Rico [4]. - The company focuses on providing high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from major injuries or illnesses, utilizing advanced technology and innovative treatments [4]. Recognition and Trust - Forbes evaluated over 2,000 large U.S.-based public companies based on customer trust, employee trust, investor trust, and media sentiment, analyzing hundreds of millions of data points [2]. - Only the top 300 companies made it to the Most Trusted Companies list, highlighting the competitive nature of this recognition [2]. Leadership Statement - The CEO of Encompass Health emphasized the company's commitment to building and maintaining trust with patients, partners, and investors, and expressed a focus on compassionate, individualized care to achieve optimal patient outcomes [3].

Encompass Health Corporation (EHC) benefits from growing patient volumes, an expanding inpatient rehabilitation network and a notable financial position. An optimistic business outlook for 2024 also reinforces investors’ confidence in the stock.EHC’s Zacks Rank & Upbeat Price PerformanceEncompass Health currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).The stock has gained 40.3% in the past year compared with the industry’s 10.2% growth. The Zacks Medical sector has delined 4.1%, while the S&P 500 composite has risen ...

Investors interested in Medical - Outpatient and Home Healthcare stocks are likely familiar with Encompass Health (EHC) and Chemed (CHE) . But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look.The best way to find great value stocks is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank is a proven strategy that targets companies with positive earnings estimate revision t ...

In 2024, the U.S. healthcare sector delivered a mixed performance. Healthcare stocks lagged behind the broader market as investors leaned toward high-growth technology stocks, moving away from more defensive industries. This shift, however, has made healthcare stocks valuations more appealing, creating potential opportunities for investors. With growing demand for healthcare services, the sector’s prospects for 2025 appear promising.Certain areas within the healthcare industry are showing resilience. Employ ...

The healthcare sector has benefited from higher volumes, improved occupancy and several expansion initiatives in 2024. A significant uptick in elective surgeries and non-urgent procedures led to a volume rise. Advancements in technology, focus on consumer-centric healthcare models and improving health equity have benefited companies in the healthcare space. However, workforce shortages and margin pressures, coupled with regulatory uncertainty, continue to weigh on the companies' prospects.What’s Brewing in ...

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. and BANGOR, Maine, Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) today announced preliminary plans to build a freestanding, 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital to be located at 1017 Union Street in Bangor, Maine. The hospital will serve patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries, including strokes and other neurological disorders, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions. In addition to 24-hour nursing care ...