Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS – Get Rating) was downgraded by StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday.
UHS has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $151.00 to $164.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, March 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Monday, March 28th. They issued an “underweight” rating and a $139.00 target price on the stock. Barclays decreased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $160.00 to $141.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 21st. SVB Leerink upped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $136.00 to $139.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Monday, February 28th. Finally, Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $162.00 to $167.00 in a research report on Tuesday, March 1st. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $154.58.
UHS opened at $140.10 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.04. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $140.87 and a 200 day moving average price of $134.17. Universal Health Services has a 1 year low of $116.23 and a 1 year high of $165.00. The stock has a market cap of $10.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.85, a P/E/G ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.05.
Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS – Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 24th. The health services provider reported $2.95 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.83 by $0.12. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 7.84% and a return on equity of 15.41%. The company had revenue of $3.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.13 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.59 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that Universal Health Services will post 12.36 EPS for the current year.
Universal Health Services announced that its board has authorized a share buyback program on Thursday, February 24th that permits the company to buyback $1.40 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the health services provider to purchase up to 12.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.
In related news, Director Lawrence S. Gibbs sold 1,307 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.00, for a total transaction of $199,971.00. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 296 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $141.17, for a total transaction of $41,786.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 13.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.
A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 1.9% in the fourth quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 4,501 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $584,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 1.6% in the fourth quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 7,223 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $937,000 after purchasing an additional 117 shares during the last quarter. Parsons Capital Management Inc. RI grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.7% during the fourth quarter. Parsons Capital Management Inc. RI now owns 8,612 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,117,000 after acquiring an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.5% during the third quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 27,649 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $3,826,000 after acquiring an additional 149 shares during the last quarter. Finally, 180 Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 8.7% during the fourth quarter. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,014 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $258,000 after acquiring an additional 161 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.00% 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. The company operates through Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Care Services segments. Its 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.