Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Given Consensus Rating of “Hold” by Analysts

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) has received a consensus rating of “Hold” from the eighteen ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $218.6250.

UHS has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Monday, June 1st. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $165.00 price target on the stock. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, May 29th. Raymond James Financial lowered shares of Universal Health Services from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Wall Street Zen lowered Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, May 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $235.00 to $205.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, May 20th.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Universal Health Services stock opened at $141.19 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 1.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.88, a PEG ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.07. Universal Health Services has a one year low of $140.08 and a one year high of $246.32. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $164.04 and a 200-day moving average price of $194.05.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $5.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.41 by $0.21. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.57% and a net margin of 8.56%.The company had revenue of $4.50 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.39 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $4.84 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 23.47 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 8th will be paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 8th. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is currently 3.33%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in UHS. Elyxium Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. Founders Capital Management bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the second quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 302.9% during the fourth quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 141 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

About Universal Health Services

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS’s facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.