Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock Price Down 3.5% – Here’s Why

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) shares traded down 3.5% during mid-day trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $182.25 and last traded at $183.17. 280,869 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 40% from the average session volume of 468,326 shares. The stock had previously closed at $189.90.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UHS has been the subject of several research reports. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $226.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their price target for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a research note on Monday, December 16th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $226.14.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 2.2 %

The stock has a 50 day moving average of $188.65 and a 200 day moving average of $207.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The firm has a market cap of $12.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.34, a PEG ratio of 0.54 and a beta of 1.30.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.55 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total transaction of $308,516.10. Following the transaction, the director now owns 5,879 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This trade represents a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 408.2% in the second quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 140,561 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $25,994,000 after buying an additional 112,902 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC grew its position in Universal Health Services by 102.0% during the 3rd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 210,926 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $48,304,000 after acquiring an additional 106,517 shares during the last quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 2,101.2% in the 3rd quarter. Mizuho Securities USA LLC now owns 101,188 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $23,173,000 after purchasing an additional 96,591 shares during the period. World Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $21,557,000. Finally, Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 70.8% during the third quarter. Worldquant Millennium Advisors LLC now owns 214,379 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $49,095,000 after purchasing an additional 88,872 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.