Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Receives Average Rating of “Hold” from Brokerages

Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) have been given a consensus rating of “Hold” by the sixteen brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eight have given a hold recommendation, six have assigned a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $234.1333.

Several analysts have issued reports on the company. UBS Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $251.00 to $245.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Mizuho set a $242.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, October 30th.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS stock opened at $233.57 on Friday. Universal Health Services has a 1 year low of $152.33 and a 1 year high of $246.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 0.96. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.59 billion, a PE ratio of 11.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.26. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $215.32 and a 200-day simple moving average of $205.92.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is presently 3.80%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Elyxium Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 320.0% in the 3rd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 126 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 96 shares during the period. Founders Capital Management purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth about $28,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

About Universal Health Services

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS’s facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.