Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Price Target Raised to $275.00 at Wells Fargo & Company

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its price objective upped by Wells Fargo & Company from $255.00 to $275.00 in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday morning, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the health services provider’s stock.

Several other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Monday, September 9th. Barclays raised Universal Health Services from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their target price for the company from $198.00 to $256.00 in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Baird R W raised Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. UBS Group raised their target price on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $232.46.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $202.67 on Tuesday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $229.55 and its 200-day moving average price is $200.81. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.56 billion, a PE ratio of 17.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.27. Universal Health Services has a twelve month low of $121.00 and a twelve month high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.75 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The business’s revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.55 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Universal Health Services will post 15.87 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the health services provider to buy up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at $864,248.44. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at $864,248.44. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total value of $180,293.50. Following the sale, the director now owns 1,985 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $421,038.35. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. New York State Teachers Retirement System increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 1.0% in the third quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System now owns 67,351 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $15,424,000 after purchasing an additional 674 shares during the last quarter. Pallas Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth approximately $381,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 61.8% in the third quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 32,429 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $7,427,000 after purchasing an additional 12,387 shares during the period. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the third quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its position in Universal Health Services by 111.7% during the third quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 4,875 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,116,000 after purchasing an additional 2,572 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Universal Health Services

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.