Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Receives $221.56 Average PT from Analysts

Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) have been given a consensus rating of “Hold” by the eighteen research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eleven have given a hold recommendation and six have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $221.5625.

Several research firms have weighed in on UHS. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, May 2nd. Raymond James Financial cut shares of Universal Health Services from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Zacks Research cut shares of Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Cantor Fitzgerald lowered their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $229.00 to $194.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, Guggenheim lowered their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $238.00 to $211.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 2.9%

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $145.78 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $173.94 and a 200 day simple moving average of $202.18. Universal Health Services has a 12-month low of $145.60 and a 12-month high of $246.32.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $5.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.41 by $0.21. The business had revenue of $4.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.39 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.56% and a return on equity of 19.57%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $4.84 EPS. Research analysts expect that Universal Health Services will post 23.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 18th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 8th will be given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 8th. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 3.33%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Glenmede Trust Co. NA boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 742.5% in the 1st quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA now owns 12,696 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $2,272,000 after purchasing an additional 11,189 shares during the last quarter. BankChampaign National Association bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at about $374,000. Amundi boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 77.0% in the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 234,304 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $41,933,000 after purchasing an additional 101,910 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 7.1% in the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 128,682 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $23,030,000 after purchasing an additional 8,533 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quantinno Capital Management LP boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 330,848 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $59,212,000 after purchasing an additional 4,838 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS’s facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.