Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Now Covered by Guggenheim

Equities researchers at Guggenheim initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, Marketbeat.com reports. The firm set a "buy" rating and a $208.00 price target on the health services provider's stock. Guggenheim's price target points to a potential upside of 18.82% from the stock's previous close.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Barclays lowered their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a "neutral" rating and set a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Stephens increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, February 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $228.77.

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Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of UHS stock traded down $3.19 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $175.05. 985,904 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 748,441. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $179.93 and a 200-day moving average price of $192.84. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $11.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.64, a P/E/G ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. Universal Health Services has a fifty-two week low of $152.69 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.21 by $0.71. The firm had revenue of $4.11 billion for 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 predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The stock was 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 directly owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. First Eagle Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 4,675,182 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $838,821,000 after acquiring an additional 44,099 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,713,572 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $306,776,000 after purchasing an additional 52,042 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 25.6% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,241,340 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $222,721,000 after buying an additional 253,385 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in Universal Health Services by 0.9% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,197,537 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $274,248,000 after acquiring an additional 10,578 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 4.7% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 624,143 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $111,984,000 after acquiring an additional 27,903 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently 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.