Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Downgraded by StockNews.com

StockNews.com downgraded shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report released on Friday.

Other research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Baird R W upgraded Universal Health Services from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 26th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, September 9th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a neutral rating and set a $219.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their price objective 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. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $224.92.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.7 %

Shares of UHS stock opened at $214.33 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.28. Universal Health Services has a 52-week low of $119.90 and a 52-week high of $243.25. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $227.50 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $197.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.34 billion, a PE ratio of 18.16, a PEG ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.27.

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

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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

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

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the sale, the director now owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $864,248.44. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at $864,248.44. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of the firm’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 transaction of $3,192,479.85. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 5,253 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,107,595.05. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. 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. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Inspire Investing LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $897,000. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 95.9% in the 1st quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 19,511 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $3,560,000 after buying an additional 9,549 shares during the period. Nordea Investment Management AB increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 27.9% during the first quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 65,643 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $11,998,000 after acquiring an additional 14,326 shares during the last quarter. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth about $738,000. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 5,033.3% in the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 7,084 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $1,292,000 after acquiring an additional 6,946 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.