Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Shares Gap Down to $160.03

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) gapped down prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $160.03, but opened at $155.25. Universal Health Services shares last traded at $153.97, with a volume of 161,889 shares traded.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UHS has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $140.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Friday, March 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $208.00 to $203.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 12th. Barclays initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $181.00 price target for the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 28th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $170.00 to $193.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $179.71.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 1.40 and a quick ratio of 1.29. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $170.40 and a 200 day simple moving average of $152.01. The company has a market cap of $10.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.34, a P/E/G ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.24.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 27th. The health services provider reported $3.13 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.02 by $0.11. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 12.08% and a net margin of 5.03%. The company had revenue of $3.70 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.66 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.02 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 13.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, CFO Steve Filton sold 35,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.82, for a total value of $6,188,700.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 68,785 shares in the company, valued at $12,162,563.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 76.4% in the fourth quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 187 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 45.4% during the first quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 253 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 79 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 42.8% during the third quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 267 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Denali Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

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.