Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Upgraded at Wall Street Zen

Key Points

• Universal Health Services was upgraded from a "buy" to a "strong-buy" rating by analysts at Wall Street Zen, indicating increased optimism about the company's stock performance.
• Barclays recently reduced its target price for Universal Health Services from $259.00 to $250.00, while the average price target from analysts is currently set at $217.08.
• The company reported earnings of $5.35 per share for its last quarter, surpassing analysts’ expectations and showing a 9.6% increase in revenue year-over-year.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at Wall Street Zen from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note issued on Saturday.

Several other research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $259.00 to $250.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $227.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday. UBS Group set a $227.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $201.00 to $206.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 19th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $243.00 to $203.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $217.08.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 2.6%

Shares of UHS stock opened at $196.33 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.29. Universal Health Services has a 52-week low of $152.33 and a 52-week high of $240.26. The company has a market capitalization of $12.49 billion, a PE ratio of 10.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.30. The business's fifty day moving average is $187.47 and its 200 day moving average is $181.82.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.85 by $0.50. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 18.25% and a net margin of 7.66%.The company had revenue of $4.28 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.24 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $4.31 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2025 guidance at 20.000-21.000 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 347.6% during the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 188 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Huntington National Bank grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 240.0% during the second quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 204 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. 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.

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