Brokerages Set Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Target Price at $232.21

Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) have been given a consensus rating of “Hold” by the fifteen analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eight have issued a hold recommendation and six have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $232.2143.

UHS has been the topic of several recent research reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $262.00 to $268.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 26th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald cut their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $250.00 to $229.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 27th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UHS. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 34.9% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 68,501 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $13,941,000 after purchasing an additional 17,728 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 22.1% during the 3rd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 781,145 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $159,698,000 after purchasing an additional 141,621 shares during the last quarter. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,359,000. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 36.0% during the 3rd quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 54,960 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $11,236,000 after purchasing an additional 14,536 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AMG National Trust Bank bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,912,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 2.4%

UHS opened at $180.92 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $203.02 and its 200-day moving average is $211.90. Universal Health Services has a 1-year low of $152.33 and a 1-year high of $246.32. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The company has a market cap of $11.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.82, a PEG ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The health services provider reported $5.88 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.92 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.57% and a return on equity of 19.65%. The company had revenue of $4.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.50 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $4.92 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2026 guidance at 22.640-24.520 EPS. Equities research analysts predict 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 announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 16th. Investors of record on Monday, March 2nd were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 3.46%.

About Universal Health Services

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS’s facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.