Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Given Average Rating of "Hold" by Analysts

Key Points

• Analysts rate UHS “Hold” overall: Twelve of 17 analysts recommend holding the stock, while five rate it a buy. The average 12-month price target is approximately $204.93, though several firms recently lowered their targets.
• Quarterly results exceeded expectations: Universal Health Services reported $5.98 in earnings per share and $4.64 billion in revenue, surpassing estimates, while revenue increased 8.3% year over year.
• Shares opened at $170.64 with 86.05% owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, equivalent to a 0.5% annualized yield.

Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of "Hold" by the seventeen analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $204.9333.

UHS has been the topic of several analyst reports. TD Cowen lowered their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $197.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, June 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $242.00 to $190.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $194.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $235.00 to $205.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 20th. Finally, Guggenheim reduced their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $195.00 to $189.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 29th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Elyxium Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 503.1% during the second quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 193 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 161 shares in the last quarter. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the second quarter worth approximately $29,000. Larson Financial Group LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 302.9% in the fourth quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 141 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CENTRAL TRUST Co lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 107.1% during the 1st quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 174 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $170.64 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $10.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.95, a P/E/G ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a 50 day moving average of $161.69 and a 200 day moving average of $173.11. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. Universal Health Services has a 52-week low of $140.08 and a 52-week high of $246.32.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.98 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.94 by $0.04. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.39% and a net margin of 8.42%.The firm had revenue of $4.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.58 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $5.35 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 8.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 23.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 1st. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is currently 3.26%.

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.

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.

Continue following MarketBeat

Add MarketBeat as your preferred source on Google to see our latest stories in your feed.

Add As Preferred Source