Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Given Consensus Rating of “Hold” by Analysts

Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) have earned a consensus rating of “Hold” from the sixteen research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eight have issued a hold recommendation, six have given a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $234.1429.

Several research analysts recently weighed in on UHS shares. Wall Street Zen raised Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, October 11th. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $250.00 to $263.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. UBS Group set a $231.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Raymond James Financial set a $270.00 price target on Universal Health Services and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

NYSE UHS opened at $226.16 on Thursday. Universal Health Services has a 12 month low of $152.33 and a 12 month high of $246.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.13 billion, a PE ratio of 10.74, a P/E/G ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.27. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $226.31 and its 200 day simple moving average is $198.37. 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 released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The health services provider reported $5.69 earnings per share 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 the consensus estimate of $4.32 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.71 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total value of $852,336.10. Following the completion of the transaction, 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 ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the director directly owned 6,113 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,379,704.10. This trade represents a 13.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 16.40% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 320.0% in the third quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 126 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter worth about $29,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 94.0% during the 3rd quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 163 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares during the period. Finally, MUFG Securities EMEA plc purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

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.