Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Releases Quarterly Earnings Results, Misses Expectations By $0.04 EPS

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.75 by ($0.04), Briefing.com reports. The business had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. Universal Health Services’s revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.55 earnings per share.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 9.8 %

Shares of UHS stock traded down $21.99 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $202.67. 1,482,955 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 672,310. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The company has a market cap of $13.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.27, a P/E/G ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.27. Universal Health Services has a fifty-two week low of $121.00 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $230.03 and its 200-day moving average is $200.59.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the 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 sale, the director now directly owns 1,985 shares in the company, valued at approximately $421,038.35. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the 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 transaction, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $864,248.44. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of Universal Health Services 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 sale, the director now directly owns 1,985 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $421,038.35. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 16.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently commented on UHS. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Monday, September 9th. 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. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their price target on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $232.46.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has initiated a stock buyback program on Wednesday, July 24th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the health services provider to repurchase up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are usually a sign that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

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.