Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Downgraded to “Buy” Rating by StockNews.com

StockNews.com cut shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Thursday morning.

UHS has been the topic of several other reports. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. TD Cowen cut their target price on Universal Health Services from $283.00 to $275.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 28th. Finally, KeyCorp initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 11th. They issued a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $231.00.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $205.26 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. Universal Health Services has a 52-week low of $125.69 and a 52-week high of $243.25. The company has a market capitalization of $13.69 billion, a PE ratio of 13.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a fifty day moving average of $227.19 and a 200-day moving average of $202.38.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The firm had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.55 earnings per share. Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has initiated a share buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the health services provider to buy up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often a sign that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total value of $180,293.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 1,985 shares in the company, valued at approximately $421,038.35. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $864,248.44. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total transaction of $180,293.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 1,985 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $421,038.35. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 16.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth about $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter worth about $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth approximately $43,000. 86.05% of the stock is 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.