Guggenheim Issues Positive Forecast for Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock Price

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its price target raised by Guggenheim from $253.00 to $274.00 in a research note released on Tuesday, Marketbeat reports. They currently have a buy rating on the health services provider’s stock.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $259.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Raymond James Financial set a $270.00 target price on Universal Health Services and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $234.14.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.3%

Shares of UHS stock opened at $238.65 on Tuesday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $217.59 and its 200-day moving average price is $193.07. Universal Health Services has a twelve month low of $152.33 and a twelve month high of $246.32. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The stock has a market cap of $14.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.34, a PEG ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.33.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The health services provider reported $5.69 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.66 by $1.03. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.09% and a return on equity of 19.47%. The firm had revenue of $4.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.32 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.71 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is presently 3.80%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total value of $217,800.50. Following the sale, the director owned 6,113 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,379,704.10. This represents a 13.63% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total value of $852,336.10. Following the sale, the director directly owned 8,481 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,893,807.30. This represents a 31.04% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 16.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of UHS. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 16.6% in the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 10,029 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,851,000 after purchasing an additional 1,430 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 102.4% during the 2nd quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,820 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $873,000 after acquiring an additional 2,438 shares in the last quarter. Capital Fund Management S.A. increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 12.9% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Fund Management S.A. now owns 94,086 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $17,044,000 after buying an additional 10,754 shares during the last quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth $265,000. Finally, Patton Fund Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter worth about $232,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% 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. 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.