Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Receives Consensus Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from Brokerages

Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) have received an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the fifteen brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $228.77.

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. 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 note on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 25th. Stephens raised their price objective on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, Bank of America initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $223.00 target price on the stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were 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 in the company, valued at $1,123,770.85. The trade was a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 16.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Quent Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 118.3% during the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $39,000. Huntington National Bank boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 414.3% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares during the period. Finally, Campbell Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at $46,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS stock traded up $0.03 on Friday, hitting $175.08. 553,929 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 633,200. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. Universal Health Services has a 52 week low of $152.68 and a 52 week high of $243.25. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $184.47 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $204.80. The firm has a market cap of $11.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.63, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.30.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.21 by $0.71. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 17th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.46%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is presently 4.75%.

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.