Encompass Health (EHC) Up 8.6% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?

Core Viewpoint - Encompass Health has shown strong performance in its recent earnings report, with significant growth in earnings and revenues, leading to an optimistic outlook for the company moving forward [3][10][11]. Financial Performance - Encompass Health reported Q2 2025 adjusted EPS of $1.40, exceeding estimates by 16.7% and reflecting a 26.1% year-over-year increase [3][4]. - Net operating revenues for Q2 2025 rose 12% year-over-year to $1.5 billion, surpassing consensus estimates by 2.3% [3][4]. - Net income increased by 26.2% year-over-year to $184.9 million, while adjusted EBITDA improved 17.4% year-over-year to $318.6 million, exceeding estimates [6][8]. Operational Highlights - The company added 26 beds to existing hospitals and opened a new de novo hospital during the quarter [4][6]. - Net patient revenue per discharge grew 4.2% year-over-year to $21.7 billion, with total discharges improving by 7.2% year-over-year to 65,237 [5][6]. Financial Position - As of June 30, 2025, Encompass Health had cash and cash equivalents of $99.1 million, up from $85.4 million at the end of 2024 [7]. - Total assets increased by 3.8% to $6.8 billion, while long-term debt decreased by 1.6% to $2.3 billion [7][8]. Capital Deployment - The company repurchased shares worth $24.7 million in Q2 2025 and has approximately $433 million remaining under its buyback authorization [9]. - A quarterly cash dividend of 17 cents per share was paid, which was increased to 19 cents per share in July [9]. Future Outlook - Encompass Health raised its 2025 revenue forecast to between $5.88 billion and $5.98 billion, indicating a 10.4% increase from 2024 [10]. - Adjusted EPS for 2025 is now expected to be between $5.12 and $5.34, suggesting an 18.1% growth from the previous year [11]. - The company aims to open seven de novo hospitals and add 340 beds in 2025, with a long-term growth target of 6-8% CAGR in discharges from 2023 to 2027 [12][13]. Market Position - Encompass Health is positioned favorably within the Zacks Medical - Outpatient and Home Healthcare industry, with a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) indicating expected above-average returns in the coming months [16][17].