TD Cowen Cuts Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Price Target to $275.00

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its price objective dropped by stock analysts at TD Cowen from $283.00 to $275.00 in a report released on Monday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a “buy” rating on the health services provider’s stock. TD Cowen’s target price indicates a potential upside of 33.55% from the company’s current price.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Monday, September 9th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Universal Health Services from $255.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. Stephens reiterated an “equal weight” rating and set a $200.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, October 19th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $231.00.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.7 %

Universal Health Services stock opened at $205.92 on Monday. Universal Health Services has a 52-week low of $121.55 and a 52-week high of $243.25. The company has a market cap of $13.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.69, a P/E/G ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $228.66 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $201.76.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The business had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.55 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.9 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the health services provider to purchase up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically a sign that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total transaction of $180,293.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 1,985 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $421,038.35. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total transaction of $180,293.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,985 shares in the company, valued at approximately $421,038.35. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction 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 directly owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $864,248.44. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Point72 Asset Management L.P. grew its position in Universal Health Services by 362.3% in the second quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 322,626 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $59,663,000 after acquiring an additional 252,846 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 357.9% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 261,221 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $48,308,000 after purchasing an additional 204,178 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,191.8% during the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 215,215 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $39,267,000 after purchasing an additional 198,555 shares during the last quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at $25,032,000. Finally, Pzena Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 41.2% in the first quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 455,773 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $83,160,000 after buying an additional 132,942 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Universal Health Services

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.