Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock Price Up 4.2% - Here's Why

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) shares shot up 4.2% on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $188.73 and last traded at $189.18. 139,139 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 80% from the average session volume of 707,508 shares. The stock had previously closed at $181.58.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

UHS has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Stephens increased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped 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 report on Monday, March 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Finally, Barclays cut their target price on 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. 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's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $228.38.

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Universal Health Services Price Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average of $181.91 and a two-hundred day moving average of $197.39. The firm has a market cap of $12.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.37, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

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 for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.21 by $0.71. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The company had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. Sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. Universal Health Services's dividend payout ratio is presently 4.75%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at $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. Insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $67,964,000. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in 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 valued at $222,721,000 after purchasing an additional 253,385 shares during the period. Amundi raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 189.5% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 360,070 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $68,532,000 after purchasing an additional 235,689 shares during the period. Freestone Grove Partners LP purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at $41,155,000. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 59.4% in the fourth quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 590,389 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $105,928,000 after buying an additional 219,942 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other 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.