Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Shares Up 7.9% – What’s Next?

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)’s share price was up 7.9% on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $228.96 and last traded at $229.6050. Approximately 310,211 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 54% from the average daily volume of 681,550 shares. The stock had previously closed at $212.78.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages recently issued reports on UHS. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an “equal weight” rating and issued a $235.00 price objective (down previously from $259.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Mizuho set a $242.00 price target on Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $219.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Guggenheim raised their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $253.00 to $274.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $234.13.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 8.4%

The firm has a market capitalization of $14.41 billion, a PE ratio of 10.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $215.25 and its 200 day simple moving average is $205.55.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st were paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 3.80%.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Stephens Inc. AR grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 1,250 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $256,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the last quarter. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 1.5% in the third quarter. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated now owns 3,512 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $718,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 3.3% in the third quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,794 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $367,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Avanza Fonder AB grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 6.1% during the fourth quarter. Avanza Fonder AB now owns 1,027 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $224,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Resonant Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.6% during the fourth quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC now owns 3,859 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $841,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS’s facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.