Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) PT Raised to $275.00 at Wells Fargo & Company

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its price objective increased by Wells Fargo & Company from $255.00 to $275.00 in a report released on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the health services provider’s stock.

UHS has been the subject of a number of other reports. Cantor Fitzgerald restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, October 1st. Baird R W raised Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Monday, September 9th. Stephens restated an “equal weight” rating and set a $200.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $231.31.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $224.66 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $230.03 and a 200-day moving average price of $200.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 1.17. The company has a market capitalization of $14.99 billion, a PE ratio of 16.47, a PEG ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.27. Universal Health Services has a 1-year low of $121.00 and a 1-year high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.37 by $0.94. The business had revenue of $3.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.87 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.22% and a return on equity of 14.91%. Universal Health Services’s revenue was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.53 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Universal Health Services will post 15.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the health services provider to reacquire up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 26.6% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 13,109 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,998,000 after purchasing an additional 2,756 shares during the period. Mather Group LLC. purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth $36,000. Global Assets Advisory LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth $3,133,000. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 821.4% during the first quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,271 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $597,000 after acquiring an additional 2,916 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DGS Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 14.8% during the first quarter. DGS Capital Management LLC now owns 6,662 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $1,216,000 after acquiring an additional 857 shares in the last quarter. 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.