Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Given Average Rating of “Hold” by Brokerages

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) has been given a consensus rating of “Hold” by the fifteen ratings firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $224.92.

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Stephens lifted their price target on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $200.00 target price for the company. Baird R W downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Finally, Robert W. Baird restated a “neutral” rating and set a $224.00 target price (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, April 15th.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 16.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Quent Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the period. Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 49.3% during the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 67 shares during the period. Finally, Campbell Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at $46,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of UHS opened at $166.70 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $10.84 billion, a PE ratio of 11.08, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $177.49 and its 200 day moving average price is $190.02. Universal Health Services has a 52 week low of $153.99 and a 52 week high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.21 by $0.71. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The business had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.01 billion. Research analysts expect that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.48%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is 4.75%.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

Universal Health Services, Inc, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates acute care hospitals, and outpatient and behavioral health care facilities. It operates through Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Care Services segments. The company's hospitals offer general and specialty surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics, emergency room care, radiology, oncology, diagnostic and coronary care, pediatric services, pharmacy services, and/or behavioral health services.