Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock Price Down 6.3% - Should You Sell?

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) shares fell 6.3% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $164.90 and last traded at $163.81. 121,783 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 84% from the average session volume of 743,726 shares. The stock had previously closed at $174.80.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 10th. Robert W. Baird reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $224.00 price objective (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Baird R W lowered Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $200.00 price target for the company. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $224.92.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $11.16 billion, a PE ratio of 11.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The business's fifty day moving average is $177.10 and its two-hundred day moving average is $189.47.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 firm had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.01 billion. Equities research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 16.40% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in UHS. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Quent Capital LLC boosted 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. Sentry Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 49.3% in the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Campbell Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth $46,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently 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.