Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the fourteen research firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $230.75.

UHS has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $226.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. TD Cowen cut their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. Stephens raised their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company cut 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 report on Monday, March 10th. Finally, Barclays decreased their target price on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 27th.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

NYSE:UHS opened at $182.24 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.85 billion, a PE ratio of 12.12, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. Universal Health Services has a 1 year low of $152.69 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $181.78 and its 200 day simple moving average is $198.15.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.21 by $0.71. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The company had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.44%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 4.75%.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 73.3% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 23,049 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $4,135,000 after acquiring an additional 9,747 shares during the period. QSM Asset Management Ltd acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth $7,045,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth $8,495,000. Forum Financial Management LP grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 20.0% in the 4th quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 1,953 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $350,000 after buying an additional 326 shares during the period. Finally, GF Fund Management CO. LTD. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at $254,000. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

About Universal Health Services

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.