TD Cowen Lowers Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Price Target to $251.00

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its target price trimmed by TD Cowen from $275.00 to $251.00 in a research note published on Tuesday morning,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the health services provider’s stock.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on the company. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. KeyCorp initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 11th. They issued a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price target for the company. Finally, UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $225.50.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

NYSE:UHS opened at $204.86 on Tuesday. Universal Health Services has a 1-year low of $133.70 and a 1-year high of $243.25. 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 business has a 50 day moving average of $215.48 and a 200 day moving average of $206.91. The company has a market capitalization of $13.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.49, a PEG ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) 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 analysts’ expectations of $3.90 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.55 EPS. Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.39%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 5.32%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 1,160 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $215,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the period. LRI Investments LLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 19.5% in the second quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 386 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $71,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the period. Empirical Finance LLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 1.1% in the third quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 5,704 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,306,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.0% during the third quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 2,238 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $512,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quarry LP lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 14.4% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 516 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $118,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other 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.