KeyCorp Begins Coverage on Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS)

KeyCorp initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) in a research report sent to investors on Friday, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage issued a sector weight rating on the health services provider’s stock. KeyCorp also issued estimates for Universal Health Services’ FY2024 earnings at $15.60 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $17.36 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $19.48 EPS.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Barclays raised Universal Health Services from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $198.00 to $256.00 in a report on Friday, July 26th. StockNews.com raised Universal Health Services from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Robert W. Baird upped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, September 9th. Finally, TD Cowen raised their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $183.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $224.92.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS opened at $214.33 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The company has a market cap of $14.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.16, a PEG ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.27. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $227.50 and its 200 day moving average price is $197.46. Universal Health Services has a fifty-two week low of $119.90 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.37 by $0.94. The firm had revenue of $3.91 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.87 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.53 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd were paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.37%. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is currently 6.78%.

Universal Health Services declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the health services provider to purchase up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total transaction of $531,209.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 6,413 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,343,844.15. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Universal Health Services news, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.85, for a total value of $3,192,479.85. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 5,253 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,107,595.05. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total transaction of $531,209.25. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 6,413 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,343,844.15. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 21,970 shares of company stock valued at $4,653,535. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at about $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter valued at $35,000. Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at $36,000. 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.