Barclays Raises Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Price Target to $271.00

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its price target raised by Barclays from $256.00 to $271.00 in a research report report published on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the health services provider’s stock.

Several other equities research analysts have also weighed in on the company. KeyCorp initiated coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 11th. They issued a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Stephens restated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $200.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $255.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $232.46.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 9.8 %

NYSE UHS opened at $202.75 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.57 billion, a PE ratio of 17.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.27. Universal Health Services has a one year low of $121.00 and a one year high of $243.25. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $229.55 and a 200-day simple moving average of $201.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.75 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.22% and a return on equity of 14.91%. The business’s revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.55 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 15.87 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has initiated a share repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the health services provider to repurchase up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, 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 transaction of $180,293.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 1,985 shares in the company, valued at approximately $421,038.35. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Universal Health Services news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total value of $180,293.50. Following the transaction, the director now owns 1,985 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $421,038.35. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $864,248.44. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 16.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at about $32,000. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during 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 purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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.