Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Wells Fargo & Company Analyst Says

Key Points

• Wells Fargo raised its price target for Universal Health Services from $166 to $170 while maintaining an “equal weight” rating, implying 3.26% downside from the prior close.
• Analyst sentiment remains cautious overall: MarketBeat reports a consensus “Hold” rating and an average target price of $205.31, based on six Buy ratings and twelve Holds.
• Universal Health Services slightly exceeded quarterly expectations, posting $5.22 in EPS versus $5.19 expected and $4.73 billion in revenue, up 5.3% year over year, though EPS declined from $5.69 a year earlier.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) had its target price lifted by investment analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $166.00 to $170.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an "equal weight" rating on the health services provider's stock. Wells Fargo & Company's price objective would indicate a potential downside of 3.26% from the stock's previous close.

Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on UHS. Leerink Partners lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $198.00 to $205.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, September 18th. Barclays cut their price target on Universal Health Services from $179.00 to $168.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on Universal Health Services from $242.00 to $190.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a "sector perform" rating and set a $183.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, August 20th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reiterated a "market perform" rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $205.31.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.2%

NYSE:UHS opened at $175.73 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $177.35 and its 200-day moving average price is $177.32. The company has a market capitalization of $10.36 billion, a PE ratio of 7.35, a P/E/G ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.11. Universal Health Services has a 1-year low of $140.08 and a 1-year high of $246.32.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 27th. The health services provider reported $5.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $5.19 by $0.03. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 7.96% and a return on equity of 18.39%. The company had revenue of $4.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.71 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $5.69 EPS. Universal Health Services's revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 22.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 108.4% in the 3rd quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 10,935 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $2,044,000 after acquiring an additional 5,688 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 31.7% in the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 536 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $93,000 after purchasing an additional 129 shares in the last quarter. Team Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth $46,000. Pzena Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 32.4% in the third quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 2,607,221 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $454,334,000 after purchasing an additional 637,894 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Provenance Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth $44,000. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.