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

Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report report published on Saturday morning.

Other analysts have also issued reports about the company. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on Universal Health Services from $243.00 to $203.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 14th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $227.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Bank of America downgraded Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “underperform” rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $215.00 to $185.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, August 4th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $201.00 to $206.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 19th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $217.08.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.8%

NYSE:UHS opened at $197.74 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 1.19. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $188.13 and its 200-day simple moving average is $181.85. Universal Health Services has a fifty-two week low of $152.33 and a fifty-two week high of $240.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.58 billion, a PE ratio of 10.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 1.30.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its earnings results 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 business had revenue of $4.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.24 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $4.31 EPS. Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter 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. Sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 2nd were paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 4.21%.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $30,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the second quarter worth about $31,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 347.6% in the 2nd 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Huntington National Bank raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 240.0% in 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 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.