Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Share Price Crosses Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average – Time to Sell?

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) shares passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday. The stock has a 200-day moving average of $166.58 and traded as high as $178.25. Universal Health Services shares last traded at $176.2540, with a volume of 580,146 shares trading hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UHS has been the subject of a number of research reports. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Monday, August 31st. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on Universal Health Services from $212.00 to $191.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 2nd. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on Universal Health Services from $204.00 to $166.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Finally, Leerink Partners upped their price target on Universal Health Services from $198.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, September 18th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $204.94.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 1.3%

The firm has a market capitalization of $10.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.12, a PEG ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 1.04. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $173.49 and its two-hundred day moving average is $166.50.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.98 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.94 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $4.64 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.58 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.42% and a return on equity of 19.39%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $5.35 EPS. Research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 22.93 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 1st were paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 1st. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 3.26%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Triad Wealth Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Triad Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,858 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $333,000 after buying an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 5.4% during the first quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC now owns 1,361 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $244,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares during the period. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 5.0% in the second quarter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. now owns 1,605 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $239,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares during the last quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 107.1% in the first quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 174 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kesler Norman & Wride LLC grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. Kesler Norman & Wride LLC now owns 5,144 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $921,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is a diversified healthcare services company that owns and operates hospitals, outpatient centers, and other healthcare facilities. Its operations are organized primarily around acute care hospitals and behavioral health services.

The company’s acute care facilities provide services such as general hospital care, emergency medicine, surgery, imaging, women’s health, and specialized treatment programs. Its behavioral health facilities offer inpatient and outpatient care for mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and related behavioral health needs.