Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock Gets Price Target Trim from Robert W. Baird

Key Points

• Robert W. Baird lowered Universal Health Services’ price target from $166 to $156 and maintained a “neutral” rating, implying 9.51% downside from the prior close.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed, with a consensus “Hold” rating from 18 analysts and an average price target of $204.31; several firms recently reduced targets, while Guggenheim, UBS, and Leerink Partners remain bullish.
• Universal Health Services exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $5.22 in EPS versus a $5.19 estimate and $4.73 billion in revenue, up 5.3% year over year. Institutional investors own approximately 86.05% of the company’s shares.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) had its target price decreased by research analysts at Robert W. Baird from $166.00 to $156.00 in a report released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a "neutral" rating on the health services provider's stock. Robert W. Baird's target price suggests a potential downside of 9.51% from the company's previous close.

Other analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $179.00 to $168.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Guggenheim cut their price target on Universal Health Services from $195.00 to $189.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $212.00 to $191.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. UBS Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Monday, August 31st. Finally, Leerink Partners raised their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $198.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, September 18th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $204.31.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $172.40 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $177.21 and a 200 day simple moving average of $177.62. The firm has a market cap of $10.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.03. Universal Health Services has a fifty-two week low of $140.08 and a fifty-two week high of $246.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 1.04.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 27th. The health services provider reported $5.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.19 by $0.03. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.39% and a net margin of 8.42%. The business had revenue of $4.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.71 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $5.69 EPS. Universal Health Services's revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 22.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. First Eagle Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 2.9% during the second quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 4,554,670 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $677,234,000 after purchasing an additional 130,389 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in Universal Health Services by 12.1% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,781,262 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $318,812,000 after purchasing an additional 192,351 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 1.7% during the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,226,577 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $219,520,000 after buying an additional 20,577 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 6.0% in the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 374,155 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $66,963,000 after purchasing an additional 21,333 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quantinno Capital Management LP boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.5% during the first quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 330,848 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $59,212,000 after buying an additional 4,838 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

Universal Health Services, Inc NYSE: UHS is a healthcare services company that owns and operates hospitals, outpatient facilities and other healthcare providers. Its operations are focused primarily on acute care and behavioral health services.

The company's acute care operations include general and specialty hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, emergency departments, physician practices and other outpatient services. Its behavioral health business provides inpatient and outpatient treatment for mental health conditions, substance-use disorders and related needs.

Universal Health Services serves patients across the United States and Puerto Rico, with additional behavioral health operations in the United Kingdom.

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