Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Price Target Cut to $203.00

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its price target decreased by equities research analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $208.00 to $203.00 in a research report issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a “buy” rating on the health services provider’s stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft’s price objective would suggest a potential upside of 21.98% from the stock’s previous close.

Several other research analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, March 6th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $181.00 price target on the stock. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $140.00 to $181.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, March 28th. UBS Group increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $152.00 to $177.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 29th. Finally, Mizuho upped their price target on Universal Health Services from $175.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $179.71.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS traded down $1.98 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $166.42. 123,958 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 538,665. Universal Health Services has a 1-year low of $119.90 and a 1-year high of $183.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a current ratio of 1.40. The company has a 50 day moving average of $170.58 and a 200-day moving average of $150.56. The stock has a market cap of $11.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 1.24.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 27th. The health services provider reported $3.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.02 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $3.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.66 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 5.03% and a return on equity of 12.08%. Universal Health Services’s revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.02 EPS. Analysts expect that Universal Health Services will post 13.39 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, CFO Steve Filton sold 35,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.82, for a total transaction of $6,188,700.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 68,785 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $12,162,563.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 15.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at approximately $36,000. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 34.8% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 360 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $66,000 after acquiring an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at approximately $22,793,000. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth approximately $219,000. Finally, Symmetry Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth approximately $202,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.