Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock Crosses Above 200 Day Moving Average - What's Next?

Key Points

• UHS shares crossed above their 200-day moving average, reaching $179.76 and last trading near $179.07, compared with a 200-day average of $166.16.
• Analysts remain cautious overall, with six Buy ratings and twelve Holds producing an average “Hold” rating and a $204.94 price target. Recent targets ranged from $168 to $205.
• The company exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $5.98 in EPS versus $5.94 expected and $4.64 billion in revenue, up 8.3% year over year; institutional investors own 86.05% of the stock.

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday. The stock has a 200-day moving average of $166.16 and traded as high as $179.76. Universal Health Services shares last traded at $179.0690, with a volume of 653,662 shares.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UHS has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Barclays reduced their target price on Universal Health Services from $179.00 to $168.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a "sector perform" rating and set a $183.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, August 20th. Guggenheim dropped 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. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on 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. Finally, Leerink Partners boosted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $198.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, September 18th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $204.94.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 0.1%

The company has a market capitalization of $10.55 billion, a PE ratio of 7.29, a PEG ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.12. The stock's 50 day moving average is $174.47 and its 200 day moving average is $166.16.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.98 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $5.94 by $0.04. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.42% and a return on equity of 19.39%. The business had revenue of $4.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.58 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $5.35 EPS. Universal Health Services's revenue was up 8.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 22.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in UHS. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake 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 acquiring an additional 161 shares in the last quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 107.1% during the 1st quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 174 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 90 shares during the period. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth approximately $106,000. PKO Investment Management Joint Stock Co lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 14.3% in the 1st quarter. PKO Investment Management Joint Stock Co now owns 800 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $143,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Oslo Pensjonsforsikring AS purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $188,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

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

The company's acute care facilities provide services such as general hospital care, emergency medicine, surgery, imaging, women's health, and specialized treatment programs. Its behavioral health facilities offer inpatient and outpatient care for mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and related behavioral health needs.

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