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

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) has been given an average recommendation of “Hold” by the eighteen brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $221.5625.

UHS has been the subject of several analyst reports. Mizuho lowered their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $267.00 to $230.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Guggenheim lowered their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $238.00 to $211.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $235.00 to $212.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 2nd. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $320.00 to $310.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald decreased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $229.00 to $194.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 29th.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Universal Health Services stock opened at $157.61 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $177.83 and a 200-day moving average price of $204.72. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.54 billion, a PE ratio of 6.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a current ratio of 1.08, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. Universal Health Services has a 12-month low of $152.33 and a 12-month high of $246.32.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $5.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.41 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $4.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.39 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.56% and a return on equity of 19.57%. The business’s revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $4.84 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 23.34 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in Universal Health Services by 22.1% during the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 781,145 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $159,698,000 after purchasing an additional 141,621 shares during the period. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 36.0% in the 3rd quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 54,960 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $11,236,000 after buying an additional 14,536 shares during the last quarter. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,359,000. AMG National Trust Bank bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,912,000. Finally, Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 41.3% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 45,943 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $9,393,000 after acquiring an additional 13,417 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

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.