Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Hits New 52-Week Low – What’s Next?

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)’s stock price reached a new 52-week low on Monday . The stock traded as low as $140.41 and last traded at $140.2850, with a volume of 427206 shares. The stock had previously closed at $145.17.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently weighed in on UHS. Raymond James Financial cut Universal Health Services from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $241.00 to $204.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $261.00 to $230.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Cantor Fitzgerald dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $229.00 to $194.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, Stephens dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $235.00 to $205.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $218.63.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $8.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.12, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a current ratio of 1.08. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $168.09 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $197.97.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $5.62 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.41 by $0.21. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.57% and a net margin of 8.56%.The firm had revenue of $4.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.39 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $4.84 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 23.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 7.5% in the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 2,201 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $394,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 38.8% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 4,275 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $765,000 after purchasing an additional 1,195 shares during the last quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA increased 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 $374,000. Finally, Amundi increased 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. 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.