Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Reaches New 1-Year High – Should You Buy?

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $231.03 and last traded at $230.3710, with a volume of 93345 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $224.41.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $219.00 price target on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, October 11th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $233.20.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.84, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.33. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $203.90 and a 200-day moving average of $187.76.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The health services provider reported $5.69 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.66 by $1.03. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.47% and a net margin of 8.09%.The company had revenue of $4.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.32 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.71 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total value of $852,336.10. Following the transaction, the director owned 8,481 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,893,807.30. The trade was a 31.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total transaction of $217,800.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 6,113 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,379,704.10. This trade represents a 13.63% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 16.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 20.0% during the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 80,408 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $15,109,000 after buying an additional 13,413 shares in the last quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 37.2% during the 1st quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 2,058 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $387,000 after purchasing an additional 558 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 43.6% in the 1st quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 25,121 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $4,720,000 after purchasing an additional 7,627 shares in the last quarter. Xponance Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. Xponance Inc. now owns 8,565 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,609,000 after purchasing an additional 212 shares during the period. Finally, CWM LLC increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 227.2% during the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 11,316 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $2,126,000 after acquiring an additional 7,858 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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.