Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Price Target Raised to $223.00

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its target price increased by stock analysts at Stephens from $210.00 to $223.00 in a note issued to investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an “equal weight” rating on the health services provider’s stock. Stephens’ price objective would indicate a potential upside of 28.98% from the stock’s current price.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. TD Cowen cut their target price on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. StockNews.com cut Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, November 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their target price for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $226.21.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 7.1 %

UHS stock traded down $13.16 during trading on Friday, hitting $172.90. The company had a trading volume of 545,242 shares, compared to its average volume of 592,417. The business has a 50-day moving average of $184.57 and a 200-day moving average of $205.32. Universal Health Services has a one year low of $152.68 and a one year high of $243.25. The stock has a market cap of $11.41 billion, a PE ratio of 11.46, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.21 by $0.71. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.01 billion. Research analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total value of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 5,879 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Quent Capital LLC boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 118.3% during the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. Huntington National Bank boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 414.3% during the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Campbell Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $46,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Universal Health Services

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.