Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Cut to Buy at StockNews.com

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) was downgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a note issued to investors on Saturday.

Several other research firms have also commented on UHS. KeyCorp initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 11th. They issued a “sector weight” rating for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday. TD Cowen decreased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $283.00 to $275.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.4 %

Universal Health Services stock opened at $207.63 on Friday. Universal Health Services has a one year low of $127.43 and a one year high of $243.25. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $224.42 and a 200 day moving average of $203.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. The stock has a market cap of $13.85 billion, a PE ratio of 13.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.55 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.89 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the health services provider to reacquire up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at approximately $864,248.44. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Huntington National Bank lifted its holdings 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 worth $41,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the second quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at $36,000. 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.