Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Cut to Equal Weight at Wells Fargo & Company

Wells Fargo & Company downgraded shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a report issued on Wednesday, MarketBeat reports. The firm currently has $235.00 price target on the health services provider’s stock, down from their prior price target of $259.00.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $250.00 to $263.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, October 11th. Guggenheim raised their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $253.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, UBS Group set a $245.00 price objective on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $234.20.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 1.9%

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $207.08 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.94 billion, a PE ratio of 9.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.28. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $226.75 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $200.84. Universal Health Services has a 1 year low of $152.33 and a 1 year high of $246.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 0.96.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The health services provider reported $5.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.66 by $1.03. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.47% and a net margin of 8.09%.The firm had revenue of $4.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.32 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.71 EPS. Universal Health Services’s quarterly revenue was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 3.80%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total transaction of $217,800.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 6,113 shares in the company, valued at $1,379,704.10. This represents a 13.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total value of $852,336.10. Following the sale, the director directly owned 8,481 shares in the company, valued at $1,893,807.30. This trade represents a 31.04% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 16.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its position in Universal Health Services by 34.9% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 68,501 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $13,941,000 after purchasing an additional 17,728 shares during the last quarter. Board of the Pension Protection Fund acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth $961,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 66.1% during the third quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 42,198 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $8,627,000 after buying an additional 16,789 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 16.6% during the second quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 10,029 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $1,851,000 after buying an additional 1,430 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital Fund Management S.A. increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 12.9% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Fund Management S.A. now owns 94,086 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $17,044,000 after acquiring an additional 10,754 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Universal Health Services

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS’s facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.