Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Reaches New 1-Year High at $234.49

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)’s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $234.49 and last traded at $234.49, with a volume of 29203 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $233.14.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently commented on UHS shares. UBS Group upped their target price on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $183.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 7th. Barclays raised shares of Universal Health Services from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and upped their price target for the stock from $198.00 to $256.00 in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Robert W. Baird upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating and lifted their price target for the company from $198.00 to $236.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. Finally, Stephens restated an “equal weight” rating and set a $200.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $219.46.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $15.85 billion, a PE ratio of 20.10, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.28. 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 company has a 50-day moving average price of $201.81 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $183.79.

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

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.34%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 6.78%.

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were 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 of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,343,844.15. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the 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 owns 6,413 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,343,844.15. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total value of $180,293.50. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,985 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $421,038.35. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 21,970 shares of company stock valued at $4,653,535 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UHS. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the 2nd 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 last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, Mather Group LLC. bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth approximately $36,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.