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EHC Stock Analysis 2026 - Encompass Health Corp AI Rating

EHC NYSE Services-Hospitals DE CIK: 0000785161
Recently Updated • Analysis: Mar 24, 2026 • SEC Data: 2025-12-31
HOLD
62% Conf
Pending
Analysis scheduled

📊 EHC Key Takeaways

Revenue: $5.9B
Net Margin: 9.5%
Free Cash Flow: $-301.8M
Current Ratio: 1.08x
Debt/Equity: 1.00x
EPS: $5.54
AI Rating: HOLD with 62% confidence

Is EHC a Good Investment? Thesis Analysis

Claude

Encompass Health demonstrates solid profitability with strong margins (16.1% operating, 9.5% net) and exceptional returns on equity (23.2%), supported by 10.5% revenue growth and impressive 27.1x interest coverage. However, significant concerns exist around negative free cash flow (-$301.8M, -5.1% FCF margin) despite positive operating cash flow, indicating capital intensity exceeds cash generation, coupled with weak liquidity (1.08x current ratio) and elevated leverage (1.00x debt-to-equity with $2.4B long-term debt).

Why Buy EHC? Key Strengths

Claude
  • + Strong operating margin of 16.1% with net margin of 9.5% demonstrates effective cost management and operational efficiency
  • + Exceptional return on equity of 23.2% and ROA of 8.0% indicate efficient capital deployment and strong profitability relative to shareholder investment
  • + Robust revenue growth of 10.5% YoY with EPS growth of 24.2% showing earnings leverage and operational scaling
  • + Excellent interest coverage ratio of 27.1x provides substantial debt servicing capacity and financial stability

EHC Investment Risks to Consider

Claude
  • ! Significant negative free cash flow of -$301.8M despite $434.6M operating cash flow indicates capital expenditures of $736.4M exceed operating cash generation, raising sustainability concerns
  • ! Weak liquidity position with current ratio of only 1.08x and minimal cash reserves of $72.2M relative to $2.4B long-term debt creates vulnerability to operational disruptions
  • ! Capital intensity appears structurally challenged with CapEx consuming 12.5% of revenue annually, limiting financial flexibility and dividend/buyback capacity
  • ! High leverage at 1.00x debt-to-equity ratio combined with low cash position elevates refinancing risk and limits strategic flexibility

Key Metrics to Watch

Claude
  • * Free cash flow trend and CapEx sustainability relative to operating cash flow generation
  • * Liquidity improvement through cash balance growth and current ratio expansion
  • * Debt reduction pace and leverage ratio movement toward healthier levels below 0.75x
  • * Operating margin maintenance amid potential labor cost inflation in healthcare services
  • * Capital expenditure efficiency and ROI on facility investments

EHC Financial Metrics

Revenue
$5.9B
Net Income
$566.2M
EPS (Diluted)
$5.54
Free Cash Flow
$-301.8M
Total Assets
$7.1B
Cash Position
$72.2M

💡 AI Analyst Insight

Encompass Health Corp presents a mixed fundamental picture. Review the detailed metrics above to form your own investment thesis.

EHC Profitability Ratios

Gross Margin N/A
Operating Margin 16.1%
Net Margin 9.5%
ROE 23.2%
ROA 8.0%
FCF Margin -5.1%

EHC vs Healthcare Sector

How Encompass Health Corp compares to Healthcare sector averages

Net Margin
EHC 9.5%
vs
Sector Avg 12.0%
EHC Sector
ROE
EHC 23.2%
vs
Sector Avg 15.0%
EHC Sector
Current Ratio
EHC 1.1x
vs
Sector Avg 2.0x
EHC Sector
Debt/Equity
EHC 1.0x
vs
Sector Avg 0.6x
EHC Sector

Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.

Is EHC Overvalued or Undervalued?

Based on fundamental analysis, Encompass Health Corp has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Healthcare sector in 2026.

Return on Equity
23.2%
Sector avg: 15%
Net Profit Margin
9.5%
Sector avg: 12%
Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Debt/Equity
1.00x
Sector avg: 0.6x

Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.

EHC Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Current Ratio
1.08x
Quick Ratio
1.08x
Debt/Equity
1.00x
Debt/Assets
53.8%
Interest Coverage
27.07x
Long-term Debt
$2.4B

EHC 5-Year Financial Trend & Growth Analysis

EHC 5-year financial data: Year 2021: Revenue $5.1B, Net Income $358.7M, EPS $3.61. Year 2022: Revenue $4.3B, Net Income $284.2M, EPS $2.85. Year 2023: Revenue $4.8B, Net Income $412.2M, EPS $4.11. Year 2024: Revenue $5.4B, Net Income $271.0M, EPS $2.70. Year 2025: Revenue $5.9B, Net Income $352.0M, EPS $3.47.
Revenue
Net Income
EPS (right axis)

5-Year Trend Summary: Encompass Health Corp's revenue has grown significantly by 16% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $3.47 reflects profitable operations.

EHC Growth Metrics (YoY)

Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Net Income Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
EPS Growth
N/A
Earnings per share
FCF Margin
-5.1%
Free cash flow / Revenue

EHC Quarterly Performance

Quarterly financial performance data for Encompass Health Corp including revenue, net income, and earnings per share.
Quarter Revenue Net Income EPS
Q3 2025 $1.4B $108.2M $1.06
Q2 2025 $1.3B $114.1M $1.12
Q1 2025 $1.3B $112.5M $1.10
Q3 2024 $1.2B $85.3M $0.84
Q2 2024 $1.2B $91.4M $0.90
Q1 2024 $1.2B $87.7M $0.87
Q3 2023 $1.1B $45.4M $0.45
Q2 2023 $1.1B $48.7M $0.49

Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.

EHC Capital Allocation

Operating Cash Flow
$434.6M
Cash generated from operations
Stock Buybacks
$158.0M
Shares repurchased (TTM)
Capital Expenditures
$736.4M
Investment in assets
Dividends Paid
$71.1M
Returned to shareholders

EHC SEC 10-K & 10-Q Filing Analysis

Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Encompass Health Corp (CIK: 0000785161)

📋 Recent SEC Filings

Date Form Document Action
Mar 10, 2026 8-K ehc-20260309.htm View →
Mar 10, 2026 4 xslF345X05/form4.xml View →
Mar 3, 2026 4 xslF345X05/form4.xml View →
Mar 3, 2026 4 xslF345X05/form4.xml View →
Mar 3, 2026 4 xslF345X05/form4.xml View →

Frequently Asked Questions about EHC

What is the AI rating for EHC?

Encompass Health Corp (EHC) has an AI rating of HOLD with 62% confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.

What are EHC's key strengths?

Claude: Strong operating margin of 16.1% with net margin of 9.5% demonstrates effective cost management and operational efficiency. Exceptional return on equity of 23.2% and ROA of 8.0% indicate efficient capital deployment and strong profitability relative to shareholder investment.

What are the risks of investing in EHC?

Claude: Significant negative free cash flow of -$301.8M despite $434.6M operating cash flow indicates capital expenditures of $736.4M exceed operating cash generation, raising sustainability concerns. Weak liquidity position with current ratio of only 1.08x and minimal cash reserves of $72.2M relative to $2.4B long-term debt creates vulnerability to operational disruptions.

What is EHC's revenue and growth?

Encompass Health Corp reported revenue of $5.9B.

Does EHC pay dividends?

Encompass Health Corp pays dividends, with $71.1M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.

Where can I find EHC SEC filings?

Official SEC filings for Encompass Health Corp (CIK: 0000785161) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.

What is EHC's EPS?

Encompass Health Corp has a diluted EPS of $5.54.

How is the AI analysis conducted?

Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.

Is EHC a good stock to buy right now?

Based on our AI fundamental analysis in March 2026, Encompass Health Corp has a HOLD rating with 62% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above before making a decision. This is not investment advice.

Is EHC stock overvalued or undervalued?

Valuation metrics for EHC: ROE of 23.2% (sector avg: 15%), net margin of 9.5% (sector avg: 12%). Higher ROE suggests strong returns relative to peers.

Should I buy EHC stock in 2026?

Our dual AI analysis gives Encompass Health Corp a combined HOLD rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability at or below sector average. Always conduct your own research.

What is EHC's free cash flow?

Encompass Health Corp's operating cash flow is $434.6M, with capital expenditures of $736.4M. FCF margin is -5.1%.

How does EHC compare to other Healthcare stocks?

Vs Healthcare sector averages: Net margin 9.5% (avg: 12%), ROE 23.2% (avg: 15%), current ratio 1.08 (avg: 2).

Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by Claude AI (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: Mar 24, 2026 | Data as of: 2025-12-31 | Powered by Claude AI