JPMorgan Chase & Co. Lowers Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Price Target to $195.00

Key Points

• JPMorgan Chase & Co. has lowered its price target for Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00, maintaining a "neutral" rating on the stock.
• Even after the price cut, JPMorgan's target indicates a potential upside of 17.55% from the company's previous close.
• The stock currently holds a consensus rating of "Hold" with an average target price of $216.54, with varying ratings from multiple analysts.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) had its price target reduced by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $215.00 to $195.00 in a research report sent to investors on Monday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the health services provider's stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the company. Bank of America lowered Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $215.00 to $185.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. UBS Group set a $227.00 price target on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $224.00 price target (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Saturday. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $216.54.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of UHS stock traded down $0.58 on Monday, hitting $164.12. 186,587 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 851,574. The company has a current ratio of 1.29, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.67 billion, a PE ratio of 8.64, a P/E/G ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.24. Universal Health Services has a one year low of $152.33 and a one year high of $243.25. The firm's 50 day moving average is $175.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $179.57.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.85 by $0.50. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 18.22% and a net margin of 7.66%. The firm had revenue of $4.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.24 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $4.31 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 2nd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 4.21%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total transaction of $210,053.56. Following the transaction, the director owned 7,884 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,509,628.32. The trade was a 12.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth $30,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 347.6% during the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 188 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. Sentry Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at $35,000. Huntington National Bank increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 240.0% during the second quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 204 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the period. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 49.3% during the first quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

Universal Health Services, Inc, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates acute care hospitals, and outpatient and behavioral health care facilities. It operates through Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Care Services segments. The company's hospitals offer general and specialty surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics, emergency room care, radiology, oncology, diagnostic and coronary care, pediatric services, pharmacy services, and/or behavioral health services.