Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Sees Large Growth in Short Interest

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,790,000 shares, a growth of 43.1% from the February 28th total of 1,950,000 shares. Approximately 5.2% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 759,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.7 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on UHS shares. Stephens boosted their price objective 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. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $200.00 target price for the company. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 10th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $228.38.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.2 %

UHS stock traded down $0.37 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $187.53. The stock had a trading volume of 640,322 shares, compared to its average volume of 735,946. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $181.95 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $196.34. Universal Health Services has a 1-year low of $152.69 and a 1-year high of $243.25. The firm has a market cap of $12.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 company had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date 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 Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, 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 position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 16.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Quent Capital LLC raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 118.3% during the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the period. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth approximately $39,000. Campbell Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Finally, Huntington National Bank raised its position 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 during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

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.