Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Rating Lowered to “Neutral” at The Goldman Sachs Group

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) was downgraded by investment analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report issued on Monday, MarketBeat.com reports. They currently have a $198.00 target price on the health services provider’s stock, down from their prior target price of $228.00. The Goldman Sachs Group’s target price points to a potential upside of 8.43% from the company’s previous close.

Several other equities analysts have also commented on the stock. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 28th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, KeyCorp initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 11th. They issued a “sector weight” rating for the company. Seven 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.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $226.14.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.8 %

Shares of UHS stock opened at $182.60 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.28. Universal Health Services has a 12-month low of $147.33 and a 12-month high of $243.25. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $206.37 and its 200-day moving average price is $208.50.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.75 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business’s revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.55 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total transaction of $308,516.10. Following the transaction, the director now owns 5,879 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Point72 Asset Management L.P. boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 362.3% during the second quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 322,626 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $59,663,000 after purchasing an additional 252,846 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 357.9% during the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 261,221 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $48,308,000 after buying an additional 204,178 shares during the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 408.2% in the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 140,561 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $25,994,000 after buying an additional 112,902 shares in the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 102.0% in the 3rd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 210,926 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $48,304,000 after buying an additional 106,517 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $18,031,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently 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.