Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock Rating Lowered by The Goldman Sachs Group

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) was downgraded by The Goldman Sachs Group from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report released on Monday,Briefing.com Automated Import reports. They presently have a $198.00 price target on the health services provider’s stock, down from their previous price target of $228.00. The Goldman Sachs Group’s price target would suggest a potential upside of 5.66% from the company’s current price.

UHS has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Robert W. Baird raised 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 note on Wednesday, September 4th. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. StockNews.com downgraded Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 9th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 25th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 28th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $223.29.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 0.5 %

Universal Health Services stock opened at $187.40 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The company’s 50-day moving average is $207.54 and its 200-day moving average is $208.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.36 billion, a PE ratio of 12.46, a P/E/G ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.28. Universal Health Services has a fifty-two week low of $147.33 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates 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 business had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.55 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services will post 15.88 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total value of $308,516.10. Following the sale, the director now owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at $1,123,770.85. This trade represents a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at about $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 414.3% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

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.