Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Hold” by Brokerages

Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) have received an average recommendation of “Hold” from the sixteen analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $232.2143.

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on UHS shares. Barclays boosted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $262.00 to $268.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 26th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research cut shares of Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, March 2nd. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $235.00 to $212.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 2nd.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.6%

NYSE:UHS opened at $193.58 on Tuesday. Universal Health Services has a 12-month low of $152.33 and a 12-month high of $246.32. The firm has a market cap of $11.83 billion, a PE ratio of 8.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $209.42 and a 200 day moving average price of $212.15.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The health services provider reported $5.88 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $5.92 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $4.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.50 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.65% and a net margin of 8.57%.Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $4.92 EPS. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2026 guidance at 22.640-24.520 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 16th. Investors of record on Monday, March 2nd were issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 2nd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is 3.46%.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Elyxium Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 320.0% during the 3rd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 126 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Founders Capital Management acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.