Robert W. Baird Boosts Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Price Target to $274.00

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its price objective boosted by Robert W. Baird from $236.00 to $274.00 in a report published on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an outperform rating on the health services provider’s stock.

Other research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Barclays raised Universal Health Services from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the company from $198.00 to $256.00 in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Baird R W raised Universal Health Services from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. Stephens reaffirmed an equal weight rating and issued a $200.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $182.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald restated a neutral rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Monday, August 19th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $222.38.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 4.2 %

Shares of UHS opened at $229.16 on Wednesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $209.38 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $187.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.28. The company has a market cap of $15.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.42, a PEG ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.28. Universal Health Services has a 52-week low of $119.90 and a 52-week high of $241.95.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $0.94. The business had revenue of $3.91 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.87 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.22% and a return on equity of 14.91%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.53 EPS. Analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has authorized a stock buyback program on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the health services provider to purchase up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically an indication that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.35%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 6.78%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the sale, the director now owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $864,248.44. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the 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 completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $864,248.44. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the director now directly owns 1,985 shares in the company, valued at approximately $421,038.35. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 21,970 shares of company stock valued at $4,653,535. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sanctuary Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the second quarter worth about $2,091,000. Chase Investment Counsel Corp bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,973,000. Quarry LP boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 108.8% during the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 451 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $83,000 after acquiring an additional 235 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 24.6% during the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 5,775 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,068,000 after acquiring an additional 1,140 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 857.9% in the second quarter. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC now owns 38,719 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $7,160,000 after purchasing an additional 34,677 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

About Universal Health Services

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.