Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Now Covered by Analysts at Bank of America

Equities research analysts at Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, StockNewsAPI reports. The firm set a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price target on the health services provider’s stock. Bank of America‘s target price suggests a potential upside of 5.16% from the stock’s previous close.

Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on UHS. UBS Group increased their target price on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 28th. KeyCorp initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 11th. They issued a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald restated a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $230.43.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 1.5 %

Shares of UHS opened at $212.05 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. Universal Health Services has a one year low of $127.21 and a one year high of $243.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.10, a PEG ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.29. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $226.24 and a 200 day moving average price of $203.45.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.75 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.55 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 15.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, July 24th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the health services provider to purchase up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $864,248.44. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 5.2% in the first quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 3,120 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $569,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares during the last quarter. Fidelis Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $46,000. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 8.6% during the first quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 6,006 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $1,096,000 after purchasing an additional 474 shares during the last quarter. Leuthold Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $3,878,000. Finally, Empirical Finance LLC grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.1% during the first quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 2,455 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $448,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other 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.