Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Announces Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.48 EPS

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings results on Monday. The health services provider reported $4.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.36 by $0.48, Zacks reports. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.16 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.70 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.2 %

Universal Health Services stock traded down $0.30 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $176.77. 245,376 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 806,749. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $176.62 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $188.66. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a market cap of $11.49 billion, a PE ratio of 11.75, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. Universal Health Services has a one year low of $153.99 and a one year high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.45%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 4.75%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on Universal Health Services from $211.00 to $201.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Robert W. Baird reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $224.00 price objective (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Baird R W downgraded Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $224.77.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 16.40% 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.