Universal Health Services (UHS) Now Covered by Analysts at Goldman Sachs Group

Stock analysts at Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, The Fly reports. The brokerage set a “buy” rating on the health services provider’s stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also commented on the company. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $147.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, October 3rd. KeyCorp reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $127.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, September 7th. Piper Jaffray Companies reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $117.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 27th. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $122.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 27th. Finally, Citigroup raised Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $127.08.

Universal Health Services (NYSE UHS) opened at $115.60 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.80. Universal Health Services has a 1-year low of $95.26 and a 1-year high of $129.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $10,980.00, a PE ratio of 15.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.97.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 25th. The health services provider reported $1.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the Zacks’ consensus estimate of $1.76 by ($0.27). Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.13% and a net margin of 6.90%. The company had revenue of $2.51 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.60 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.60 EPS. Universal Health Services’s quarterly revenue was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services will post 7.36 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback 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 buy shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 16.2% in the third quarter. Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC now owns 162,466 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $18,024,000 after purchasing an additional 22,633 shares in the last quarter. AXA grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 1.0% in the third quarter. AXA now owns 79,016 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $8,766,000 after purchasing an additional 757 shares in the last quarter. Jana Partners LLC grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 39.1% in the third quarter. Jana Partners LLC now owns 1,891,986 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $209,897,000 after purchasing an additional 531,358 shares in the last quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 154.0% in the third quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 6,135 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $681,000 after purchasing an additional 3,720 shares in the last quarter. Finally, IFM Investors Pty Ltd bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $303,000. 86.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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About Universal Health Services

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.