Brokerages Set Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) PT at $226.14

Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) have earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the sixteen brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $226.14.

Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research report on Monday, December 16th. Finally, KeyCorp began coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 11th. They set a “sector weight” rating for the company.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total value of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 5,879 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This represents a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter worth $29,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth $39,000. Quent Capital LLC increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the period. Finally, Huntington National Bank raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS opened at $188.01 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.50, a PEG ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.30. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $186.50 and a 200-day moving average of $207.91. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Universal Health Services has a 12-month low of $152.68 and a 12-month high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.43%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 5.32%.

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.