Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Shares Up 6.9% – What’s Next?

Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) were up 6.9% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $160.88 and last traded at $160.99. 556,828 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 37% from the average session volume of 877,710 shares. The stock had previously closed at $150.58.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UHS has been the subject of several research reports. Guggenheim reduced their price objective on Universal Health Services from $238.00 to $211.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, May 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $216.00 to $190.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Cantor Fitzgerald decreased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $229.00 to $194.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, May 2nd. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $216.56.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $155.80 and a 200 day moving average of $187.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.58, a PEG ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 1.07.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $5.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.41 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $4.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.39 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.56% and a return on equity of 19.57%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $4.84 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 23.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 18th. Investors of record on Monday, June 8th were given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 8th. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is 3.33%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Elyxium Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Founders Capital Management acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 302.9% during the fourth quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 141 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the second quarter valued at $29,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

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.