Universal Health Services' (UHS) "Sector Perform" Rating Reiterated at Royal Bank Of Canada

Key Points

• Royal Bank of Canada reiterated its “sector perform” rating on Universal Health Services and set a $183 price target, implying 5.74% upside from the recent $173.07 share price.
• Analyst sentiment remains cautious, with a consensus “Hold” rating from 17 analysts and an average price target of $204.93. Recent target reductions and rating changes included downgrades or “equal weight” calls from several firms.
• UHS exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $5.98 in EPS versus $5.94 expected and $4.64 billion in revenue, up 8.3% year over year. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report)'s stock had its "sector perform" rating reiterated by equities research analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada in a note issued to investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. They presently have a $183.00 target price on the health services provider's stock. Royal Bank Of Canada's price target would suggest a potential upside of 5.74% from the stock's current price.

Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Raymond James Financial downgraded Universal Health Services from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. TD Cowen dropped their target price on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $197.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Monday, June 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Universal Health Services from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Barclays decreased their price target on Universal Health Services from $179.00 to $168.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, Stephens lowered their price objective on Universal Health Services from $235.00 to $205.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $204.93.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of UHS stock traded up $0.74 on Thursday, hitting $173.07. 41,873 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 880,894. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.12. Universal Health Services has a one year low of $140.08 and a one year high of $246.32. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $156.79 and its 200 day simple moving average is $175.08. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.03, a P/E/G ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 1.05.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.98 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $5.94 by $0.04. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.42% and a return on equity of 19.39%. The company had revenue of $4.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.58 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $5.35 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 8.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 23.16 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Elyxium Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 503.1% during the second quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 193 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 161 shares during the period. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the second quarter worth about $29,000. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 302.9% in the fourth quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 141 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CENTRAL TRUST Co lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 107.1% in the first quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 174 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 90 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

About Universal Health Services

Universal Health Services, Inc NYSE: UHS is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS's facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.

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