Wells Fargo & Company Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its price objective boosted by Wells Fargo & Company from $249.00 to $259.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an “overweight” rating on the health services provider’s stock. Wells Fargo & Company‘s price objective points to a potential upside of 15.13% from the company’s current price.

UHS has been the topic of several other reports. UBS Group set a $231.00 target price on Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, October 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $219.00 target price for the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, October 11th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $233.87.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 1.1%

UHS stock opened at $224.97 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $206.36 and a 200 day moving average of $188.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.32 billion, a PE ratio of 10.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. Universal Health Services has a 52 week low of $152.33 and a 52 week high of $231.37.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The health services provider reported $5.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.66 by $1.03. The business had revenue of $4.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.32 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.09% and a return on equity of 19.47%. Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $3.71 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total value of $852,336.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 8,481 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,893,807.30. The trade was a 31.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total transaction of $217,800.50. Following the sale, the director directly owned 6,113 shares in the company, valued at $1,379,704.10. The trade was a 13.63% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 16.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 17.1% during the 3rd quarter. Schonfeld Strategic Advisors LLC now owns 6,347 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $1,298,000 after acquiring an additional 926 shares during the period. Creative Planning boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 63.5% during the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 16,876 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $3,450,000 after purchasing an additional 6,557 shares in the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 53.2% in the third quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 317,768 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $64,964,000 after purchasing an additional 110,304 shares during the period. Credit Agricole S A purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $7,259,000. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 2.5% during the 3rd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 194,108 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $39,684,000 after buying an additional 4,777 shares during the period. 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.