Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Now Covered by Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) in a research note released on Wednesday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm issued an equal weight rating and a $200.00 price objective on the health services provider’s stock.

A number of other research firms have also weighed in on UHS. TD Cowen dropped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their target price for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Stephens lifted their price target on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Barclays reduced their price objective on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $228.38.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE UHS opened at $186.11 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $181.91 and a 200-day moving average price of $197.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.37, a P/E/G 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.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates 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 firm had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. On average, 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, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.43%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 4.75%.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UHS. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth $29,000. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth about $39,000. Quent Capital LLC increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Campbell Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at about $46,000. Finally, Huntington National Bank grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 55.6% during the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.