Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) gapped up prior to trading on Thursday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The stock had previously closed at $165.90, but opened at $174.95. Universal Health Services shares last traded at $162.90, with a volume of 332,525 shares.
The health services provider reported $3.70 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.14 by $0.56. The firm had revenue of $3.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.78 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 12.08% and a net margin of 5.03%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.34 EPS.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
UHS has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. StockNews.com upgraded Universal Health Services from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, January 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $170.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, March 4th. Stephens reiterated an "equal weight" rating and set a $185.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Universal Health Services from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, March 28th. Finally, Mizuho lifted their price target on Universal Health Services from $175.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $180.07.
Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Universal Health Services
Insider Buying and Selling
In related news, CFO Steve Filton sold 35,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.82, for a total transaction of $6,188,700.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 68,785 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $12,162,563.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services
Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 42.8% in the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 267 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Denali Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $37,000. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Finally, Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $55,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Universal Health Services Stock Performance
The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $170.55 and a 200-day simple moving average of $153.10. The company has a market capitalization of $11.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77.
About Universal Health Services
(
Get Free Report)
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.
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