Wells Fargo & Company Lowers Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Price Target to $210.00

Key Points

• Wells Fargo & Company has lowered the price target for Universal Health Services (NYSE: UHS) from $225.00 to $210.00, maintaining an "overweight" rating on the stock.
• Analysts are divided on the stock, with one sell rating, eight hold ratings, and seven buy ratings, pointing to an average target price of $215.38.
• Universal Health Services recently reported earnings of $5.35 EPS for the quarter, surpassing estimates and showing a 9.6% increase in revenue year-over-year.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) had its target price lowered by stock analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $225.00 to $210.00 in a report released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an "overweight" rating on the health services provider's stock. Wells Fargo & Company's price objective indicates a potential upside of 17.86% from the stock's current price.

A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on UHS. Bank of America downgraded Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "underperform" rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $215.00 to $185.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. Barclays boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $257.00 to $259.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced 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 note on Wednesday, April 30th. Stephens upgraded Universal Health Services to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, August 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $215.38.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Universal Health Services stock traded down $0.33 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $178.18. The stock had a trading volume of 60,467 shares, compared to its average volume of 846,578. Universal Health Services has a 12 month low of $152.33 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.58 billion, a PE ratio of 9.38, a P/E/G ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.24. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $173.85 and its 200 day moving average price is $178.99.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.35 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.24 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $4.31 EPS. Universal Health Services's revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in 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 worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares during the period. Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its position in Universal Health Services by 49.3% in the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Huntington National Bank increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 240.0% during the 2nd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 204 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

About Universal Health Services

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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