Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Shares Gap Down - What's Next?

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report)'s stock price gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $172.91, but opened at $168.40. Universal Health Services shares last traded at $169.07, with a volume of 220,266 shares trading hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently issued reports on UHS. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price objective on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 10th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target 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. Guggenheim started coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Stephens boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $224.77.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 1.7 %

The firm has a market capitalization of $11.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.81, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. The business's 50-day moving average price is $176.49 and its 200 day moving average price is $188.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $4.84 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.36 by $0.48. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The firm had revenue of $4.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $3.70 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Quent Capital LLC lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the fourth 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 Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at approximately $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. grew its holdings 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 valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Campbell Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $46,000. Institutional investors own 86.05% 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.