Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Price Target Increased to $271.00 by Analysts at Barclays

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

Several other analysts have also commented on the company. UBS Group boosted their price target 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. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. TD Cowen raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their price target for the company from $220.00 to $283.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $232.46.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS stock traded down $21.91 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $202.75. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,483,330 shares, compared to its average volume of 672,310. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $229.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $200.81. The company has a market cap of $13.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.18, a PEG ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.27. Universal Health Services has a 1-year low of $121.00 and a 1-year high of $243.25. 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 posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.55 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.87 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the health services provider to buy up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually a sign that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of UHS. New York State Teachers Retirement System increased its position in Universal Health Services by 1.0% during the third quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 67,351 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $15,424,000 after buying an additional 674 shares during the last quarter. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $381,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 61.8% in the 3rd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 32,429 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $7,427,000 after acquiring an additional 12,387 shares during the period. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 111.7% during the third quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 4,875 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,116,000 after purchasing an additional 2,572 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.