Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) PT Lowered to $211.00

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its target price decreased by Royal Bank of Canada from $222.00 to $211.00 in a report released on Monday morning, Benzinga reports. Royal Bank of Canada currently has a sector perform rating on the health services provider’s stock.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on UHS. Barclays lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. UBS Group lifted their price target on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Stephens reiterated an “equal weight” rating and set a $200.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, KeyCorp started coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 11th. They set a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $231.00.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.9 %

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $204.55 on Monday. 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 52 week low of $121.55 and a 52 week high of $243.25. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $229.09 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $201.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.65 billion, a PE ratio of 13.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.27.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.75 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The company’s revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.55 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services will post 15.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has approved a stock buyback program on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the health services provider to purchase up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at $864,248.44. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total value of $180,293.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,985 shares in the company, valued at approximately $421,038.35. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated 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 owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $864,248.44. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 16.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in Universal Health Services by 26.6% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 13,109 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $1,998,000 after purchasing an additional 2,756 shares during the last quarter. Denali Advisors LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC raised its position in Universal Health Services by 7.8% during the 1st quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 3,720 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $679,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC raised its position in Universal Health Services by 5.2% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 3,120 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $569,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fortis Group Advisors LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $275,000. 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.