Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Given New $267.00 Price Target at UBS Group

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its target price hoisted by UBS Group from $247.00 to $267.00 in a report published on Wednesday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the health services provider’s stock.

A number of other brokerages have also issued reports on UHS. Robert W. Baird raised shares of Universal Health Services from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and upped their price objective for the company from $198.00 to $236.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $255.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $182.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Barclays upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the stock from $198.00 to $256.00 in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $219.46.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS opened at $226.44 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 1.17. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.16 billion, a PE ratio of 19.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 1.28. The business’s 50-day moving average is $195.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $180.28. Universal Health Services has a 1 year low of $119.90 and a 1 year high of $227.00.

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

Universal Health Services declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the health services provider to purchase up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be paid 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 payout ratio is 6.78%.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total transaction of $531,209.25. Following the sale, the director now owns 6,413 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,343,844.15. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Universal Health Services news, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.85, for a total value of $3,192,479.85. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 5,253 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,107,595.05. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total value of $531,209.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,413 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,343,844.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 21,970 shares of company stock valued at $4,653,535. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the second quarter valued at about $35,000. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $36,000. 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.