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

Key Points

• Universal Health Services, Inc. has received an average recommendation of "Hold" from fifteen brokerages, with one sell, eight hold, and six buy ratings.
• The company's quarterly earnings report showed earnings per share of $4.84, surpassing analysts' expectations of $4.36, despite revenue falling short of consensus estimates.
• Universal Health Services recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, resulting in an annualized yield of 0.52% for its investors.

Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of "Hold" from the fifteen analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eight have issued a hold recommendation and six have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $222.00.

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Robert W. Baird reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $224.00 target price (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Barclays increased their price target on Universal Health Services from $257.00 to $259.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Bank of America lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $215.00 to $185.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Guggenheim began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price target on the stock. Finally, UBS Group set a $227.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Universal Health Services stock traded up $2.55 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $167.99. 464,143 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 848,187. Universal Health Services has a 52 week low of $152.33 and a 52 week high of $243.25. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $177.82 and its 200 day simple moving average is $180.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.29. The firm has a market cap of $10.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.84, a P/E/G ratio of 0.69 and a beta of 1.28.

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

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.48%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is currently 4.49%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UHS. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 22.9% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 354 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $64,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its position in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 2,665 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $501,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the period. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 5.9% during the 4th quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,266 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $227,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,432 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $259,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.