Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Now Covered by Analysts at Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) in a research report released on Wednesday, Marketbeat.com reports. The brokerage issued an equal weight rating and a $200.00 price target on the health services provider's stock.

A number of other analysts have also commented on UHS. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and reduced their target price for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. TD Cowen decreased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a "neutral" rating and set a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $228.38.

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Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.2 %

Universal Health Services stock traded down $0.42 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $186.11. 732,451 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 739,104. Universal Health Services has a 12 month low of $152.69 and a 12 month high of $243.25. 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 firm's fifty day simple moving average is $181.91 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $197.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.37, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. The business had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. Analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 4.75%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of UHS. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.6% during the third quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 8,518 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $1,951,000 after purchasing an additional 296 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 41.8% during the 3rd quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,485 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $340,000 after buying an additional 438 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter worth about $308,000. Cerity Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 86.4% in the 3rd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 21,047 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $4,820,000 after acquiring an additional 9,755 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 13.0% during the 3rd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 7,340 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $1,681,000 after acquiring an additional 843 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by 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.