Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Raised to “Buy” at UBS Group

UBS Group upgraded shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Monday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. UBS Group currently has $226.00 price target on the health services provider’s stock, up from their previous price target of $189.00.

Several other research analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $170.00 to $193.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, February 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $170.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, March 4th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $181.00 to $189.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, April 26th. Stephens restated an equal weight rating and set a $185.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, April 25th. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $181.00 to $183.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $186.47.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 1.1 %

Shares of UHS stock opened at $176.91 on Monday. Universal Health Services has a 12-month low of $119.90 and a 12-month high of $183.61. The company has a current ratio of 1.38, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $172.72 and its 200 day moving average is $159.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.99, a P/E/G ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.26.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 24th. The health services provider reported $3.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.14 by $0.56. The company had revenue of $3.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.78 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 5.57% and a return on equity of 13.34%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 10.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.34 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Universal Health Services will post 13.64 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 17th. Investors of record on Monday, June 3rd will be paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 3rd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.45%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 6.78%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Steve Filton sold 35,000 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.82, for a total transaction of $6,188,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 68,785 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,162,563.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. 16.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UHS. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 42.8% in the 3rd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 267 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the period. Mather Group LLC. purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Denali Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $37,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.