Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Receives Consensus Recommendation of "Hold" from Analysts

Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) have been assigned an average rating of "Hold" from the fifteen analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and six have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $224.77.

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on UHS shares. Baird R W cut Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Barclays upped their target price on Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $257.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. Robert W. Baird reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $224.00 price target (down from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Guggenheim initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.2%

Universal Health Services stock opened at $189.46 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $12.32 billion, a PE ratio of 12.60, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.31. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $182.08 and a 200 day moving average price of $183.88. Universal Health Services has a 52 week low of $153.99 and a 52 week high of $243.25. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.36 by $0.48. The company had revenue of $4.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.16 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The firm's revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.70 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Investors of record on Monday, June 2nd will be paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.42%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 2nd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is 4.49%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,097 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.48, for a total value of $210,053.56. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 7,884 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,509,628.32. This represents a 12.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UHS. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Quent Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 118.3% during the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 49.3% during the 1st 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 last quarter. Finally, Campbell Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $46,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.

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