Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Sets New 1-Year High – Here’s Why

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $228.08 and last traded at $227.7380, with a volume of 646210 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $224.19.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

UHS has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $249.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $250.00 to $263.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $243.00 to $203.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Finally, UBS Group set a $231.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $233.20.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 1.6%

The firm’s 50 day moving average is $199.47 and its 200 day moving average is $185.65. The company has a market cap of $14.49 billion, a PE ratio of 10.82, a PEG ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.19.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The health services provider reported $5.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.66 by $1.03. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.09% and a return on equity of 19.47%. The business had revenue of $4.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.32 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $3.71 earnings per share. Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2025 guidance at 21.500-22.100 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total value of $217,800.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 6,113 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,379,704.10. The trade was a 13.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 16.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Alps Advisors Inc. increased its position in Universal Health Services by 14.4% during the 3rd quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 2,383 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $487,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan increased its position in Universal Health Services by 93.5% during the 3rd quarter. Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan now owns 1,035 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $208,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the period. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.1% in the 3rd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 2,217 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $453,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the period. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 320.0% in the 3rd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 126 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 96 shares during the period. Finally, Optimize Financial Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter worth about $455,000. 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.