Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) was upgraded by equities researchers at Citigroup from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note issued on Tuesday, MarketBeat Ratings reports.
A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on UHS. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $120.00 to $114.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $126.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 27th. Leerink Swann upped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $130.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, September 22nd. TheStreet lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a “b” rating to a “c+” rating in a research report on Monday, August 21st. Finally, KeyCorp reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $127.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, September 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $126.31.
Shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) traded up $0.51 on Tuesday, hitting $113.44. 1,340,000 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 974,451. The company has a market cap of $10,766.48, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 1.16. Universal Health Services has a 52-week low of $95.26 and a 52-week high of $129.74.
Universal Health Services announced that its board has authorized a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, November 15th that permits the company to repurchase $400.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the health services provider to purchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.
Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Shell Asset Management Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 22.1% in the 3rd quarter. Shell Asset Management Co. now owns 36,647 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $3,830,000 after buying an additional 6,645 shares in the last quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 208,367 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $25,437,000 after buying an additional 3,580 shares in the last quarter. Quantum Capital Management boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 44.7% in the 2nd quarter. Quantum Capital Management now owns 69,969 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $8,542,000 after buying an additional 21,614 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 54.6% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 17,516 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $1,943,000 after buying an additional 6,189 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Aberdeen Asset Management PLC UK boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 11.5% in the 2nd quarter. Aberdeen Asset Management PLC UK now owns 23,107 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $2,821,000 after buying an additional 2,375 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.13% of the company’s stock.
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Universal Health Services Company Profile
Universal Health Services, Inc is a holding company. The Company’s principal business is owning and operating, through its subsidiaries, acute care hospitals and outpatient facilities, and behavioral healthcare facilities. The Company’s segments include Acute Care Hospital Services, Behavioral Health Services and Other.
