Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Upgraded at SVB Securities

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS – Get Rating) was upgraded by investment analysts at SVB Securities from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a report released on Friday, The Fly reports.

A number of other research analysts have also recently weighed in on UHS. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $154.00 to $138.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 6th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $150.00 to $165.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Wolfe Research lowered shares of Universal Health Services from an “outperform” rating to a “peer perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 1st. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. They set an “underweight” rating and a $143.00 price objective on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $137.71.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS stock traded up $0.38 on Friday, reaching $127.98. 627,645 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 648,483. The company has a market cap of $8.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.60, a P/E/G ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.25. Universal Health Services has a 1 year low of $82.50 and a 1 year high of $154.65. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $133.90 and a 200 day moving average price of $135.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 1.26 and a current ratio of 1.37.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS – Get Rating) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The health services provider reported $2.34 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.15 by $0.19. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 5.05% and a return on equity of 12.33%. The firm had revenue of $3.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.45 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.15 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 10.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 3,107 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $141.53, for a total value of $439,733.71. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 5,508 shares in the company, valued at $779,547.24. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other news, CEO Marc D. Miller sold 44,110 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $142.65, for a total value of $6,292,291.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 160,383 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,878,634.95. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 3,107 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $141.53, for a total value of $439,733.71. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 5,508 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $779,547.24. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 76,258 shares of company stock worth $10,733,371. 15.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Belpointe Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its position in Universal Health Services by 76.4% during the 4th quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 187 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in Universal Health Services by 4,785.7% during the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 342 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 335 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ancora Advisors LLC raised its position in Universal Health Services by 33.3% during the 1st quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 400 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 87.17% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

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Universal Health Services, Inc operates as a healthcare management company, which through its subsidiaries, owns and operates acute care hospitals, behavioral health centers, and outpatient facilities. It operates through the following segments: Acute Care Hospital Services, Behavioral Health Care Services, and Other.