Encompass Health (EHC) vs National HealthCare (NHC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
National HealthCare (NHC) has outperformed Encompass Health (EHC) over the past year, gaining 87.7% versus a loss of 1.5%. Over five years, NHC leads with a +212.0% price change compared with +127.8% for EHC. Encompass Health is the larger company by market cap ($12.10 billion vs $3.53 billion), about 3.4 times the size, while National HealthCare is growing revenue faster (+16.1% vs +10.5%).
On valuation, Encompass Health trades at a lower forward P/E (18.4x vs 524.1x for National HealthCare). National HealthCare offers the higher dividend yield (1.15% vs 0.62%). Encompass Health converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.5% versus 7.9%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | EHC | NHC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $122.69 | $225.35 |
| Market cap | $12.10B | $3.53B |
| 1-day change | +0.12% | +0.08% |
| YTD return | +15.45% | +64.25% |
| 1-year return | -1.50% | +87.66% |
| 5-year return | +127.79% | +212.00% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.52 | 25.35 |
| Forward P/E | 18.37 | 524.07 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.98 | $8.89 |
| Dividend yield | 0.62% | 1.15% |
| Annual dividend | $0.76 | $2.59 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.94B | $1.52B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.46% | +16.09% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $566.20M | $120.02M |
| Operating margin | — | 8.46% |
| Net margin | 9.54% | 7.91% |
| 52-week high | $127.99 | $239.29 |
| 52-week low | $92.77 | $116.42 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -4.14% | -5.83% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +20.77% | — |
| Average volume | 915.90K | 108.25K |
| Shares outstanding | 98.65M | 15.66M |
| Employees | 29,699 | 15,278 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Hospital/Nursing Management | Hospital/Nursing Management |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Encompass Health is about 3.4 times larger than National HealthCare by market value ($12.10B vs $3.53B).
- NHC has outperformed EHC by 89.2 percentage points over the past year.
- National HealthCare grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+16.09% vs +10.46%).
About Encompass Health
EHC stock →Encompass Health Corporation operates inpatient rehabilitation hospitals in the United States and Puerto Rico. The company offers specialized rehabilitative treatment, using technology and therapy, on an inpatient basis for patients recovering from a major injury or illness and seeking to regain functional ability, independence, and quality of life; medical, nursing, therapy, and ancillary services; and rehabilitative care to patients who are recovering from conditions, such as stroke and other neurological disorders, cardiac and pulmonary conditions, brain and spinal cord injuries, complex orthopedic conditions, and amputations.
Health Care · Hospital/Nursing Management · 29,699 employees
About National HealthCare
NHC stock →National HealthCare Corporation engages in the operation of services to skilled nursing facilities, assisted and independent living facilities, homecare and hospice agencies, and health hospitals. It operates through two segments: Inpatient and Homecare and Hospice Services.
Health Care · Hospital/Nursing Management · 15,278 employees
EHC vs NHC FAQ
Which is bigger, Encompass Health or National HealthCare?
Encompass Health (EHC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $12.10B compared with $3.53B for National HealthCare (NHC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, EHC or NHC?
NHC returned +87.66% over the past 12 months, compared with -1.50% for EHC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, EHC or NHC?
EHC has the lower trailing P/E at 20.5, versus 25.3 for NHC. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Encompass Health or National HealthCare?
National HealthCare has the higher yield at 1.15%, compared with 0.62% for Encompass Health.
Are Encompass Health and National HealthCare in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Hospital/Nursing Management industry within the Health Care sector.