Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Price Target Raised to $271.00 at Barclays

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its price objective raised by Barclays from $256.00 to $271.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning, Benzinga reports. Barclays currently has an overweight rating on the health services provider’s stock.

A number of other analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $255.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Monday, September 9th. StockNews.com raised Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, October 19th. TD Cowen upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $220.00 to $283.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $232.46.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 9.8 %

Shares of NYSE UHS traded down $21.91 during trading on Friday, reaching $202.75. 1,483,330 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 672,310. The company has a market capitalization of $13.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.27. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $229.55 and its 200 day moving average price is $200.81. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. Universal Health Services has a twelve month low of $121.00 and a twelve month high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.75 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The firm had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.55 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 15.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services announced that its board has initiated a share repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the health services provider to buy up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of UHS. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,099,282 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $1,295,335,000 after purchasing an additional 57,036 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.5% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 486,438 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $89,957,000 after acquiring an additional 2,620 shares during the period. Pzena Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 132,942 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. increased 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 worth $59,663,000 after acquiring an additional 252,846 shares during the period. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP boosted its holdings in 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 valued at $48,308,000 after purchasing an additional 204,178 shares during the period. 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.