Encompass Health (EHC) vs Universal Health Services (UHS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Encompass Health (EHC) has outperformed Universal Health Services (UHS) over the past year, losing 1.5% versus a loss of 14.4%. Over five years, EHC leads with a +127.8% price change compared with +32.1% for UHS. Encompass Health is the larger company by market cap ($12.09 billion vs $10.36 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Universal Health Services trades at a lower forward P/E (7.3x vs 18.3x for Encompass Health). Encompass Health offers the higher dividend yield (0.62% vs 0.46%). Encompass Health converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.5% versus 8.6%.
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 | UHS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $122.54 | $175.72 |
| Market cap | $12.09B | $10.36B |
| 1-day change | +0.05% | +0.63% |
| YTD return | +15.45% | -19.40% |
| 1-year return | -1.50% | -14.37% |
| 5-year return | +127.79% | +32.10% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.49 | 7.17 |
| Forward P/E | 18.35 | 7.33 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.98 | $24.52 |
| Dividend yield | 0.62% | 0.46% |
| Annual dividend | $0.76 | $0.80 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $5.94B | $17.36B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.46% | +9.71% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $566.20M | $1.49B |
| Operating margin | — | 11.48% |
| Net margin | 9.54% | 8.57% |
| 52-week high | $127.99 | $246.33 |
| 52-week low | $92.77 | $140.08 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -4.26% | -28.66% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +20.92% | +10.94% |
| Average volume | 915.90K | 789.88K |
| Shares outstanding | 98.65M | 51.69M |
| Employees | 29,699 | 102,000 |
| 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
- EHC has outperformed UHS by 12.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Encompass Health trades at a higher earnings multiple (20.5x vs 7.2x trailing P/E).
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 Universal Health Services
UHS stock →Universal Health Services, Inc., through its subsidiaries, owns and operates acute care hospitals, and outpatient and behavioral health care facilities in the United States. It operates through Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Care Services segments.
Health Care · Hospital/Nursing Management · 102,000 employees
EHC vs UHS FAQ
Which is bigger, Encompass Health or Universal Health Services?
Encompass Health (EHC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $12.09B compared with $10.36B for Universal Health Services (UHS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, EHC or UHS?
EHC returned -1.50% over the past 12 months, compared with -14.37% for UHS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, EHC or UHS?
UHS has the lower trailing P/E at 7.2, versus 20.5 for EHC. 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 Universal Health Services?
Encompass Health has the higher yield at 0.62%, compared with 0.46% for Universal Health Services.
Are Encompass Health and Universal Health Services in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Hospital/Nursing Management industry within the Health Care sector.