Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Lowered to “Hold” Rating by Zacks Research

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) was downgraded by equities research analysts at Zacks Research from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report released on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

UHS has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Guggenheim increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $253.00 to $274.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $251.00 to $245.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Monday, December 29th. UBS Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Universal Health Services from $235.00 to $212.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $232.21.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of UHS opened at $204.54 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $12.78 billion, a PE ratio of 8.84, a PEG ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.26. Universal Health Services has a 12 month low of $152.33 and a 12 month high of $246.32. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $215.02 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $211.53. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The health services provider reported $5.88 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $5.92 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.57% and a return on equity of 19.65%. The company had revenue of $4.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.50 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $4.92 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2026 guidance at 22.640-24.520 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Stephens Inc. AR grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 4.2% in the 3rd quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 1,250 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $256,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the period. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 1.5% in the third quarter. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated now owns 3,512 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $718,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 4.1% in the fourth quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 1,390 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $303,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.3% during the third quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,794 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $367,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Avanza Fonder AB increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 6.1% during the fourth quarter. Avanza Fonder AB now owns 1,027 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $224,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

About Universal Health Services

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS’s facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.