Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Receives $224.92 Consensus Target Price from Brokerages

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of "Hold" from the fifteen research firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and six have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $224.92.

UHS has been the subject of several research reports. Cantor Fitzgerald raised Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Baird R W cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Guggenheim assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $208.00 target price for the company. Barclays cut their price objective on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 27th. Finally, Stephens boosted their price target on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 2.8 %

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded up $4.63 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $171.42. The company had a trading volume of 210,509 shares, compared to its average volume of 746,483. Universal Health Services has a 1-year low of $153.99 and a 1-year high of $243.25. The stock has a market cap of $11.14 billion, a PE ratio of 11.37, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. 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's 50 day moving average price is $177.49 and its 200 day moving average price is $190.02.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. The company had revenue of $4.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. Research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.47%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is currently 4.75%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. This trade represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 16.40% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in UHS. Norges Bank bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at about $67,964,000. Invesco Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 25.6% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $222,721,000 after buying an additional 253,385 shares during the last quarter. Amundi grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 189.5% during the fourth quarter. Amundi now owns 360,070 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $68,532,000 after buying an additional 235,689 shares in the last quarter. Freestone Grove Partners LP purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at $41,155,000. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 59.4% during the 4th quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 590,389 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $105,928,000 after acquiring an additional 219,942 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by 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.