Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock Price Down 3.3% – Time to Sell?

Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) were down 3.3% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $191.00 and last traded at $191.00. Approximately 49,613 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 93% from the average daily volume of 680,324 shares. The stock had previously closed at $197.52.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently commented on UHS shares. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price target on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $283.00 to $275.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 28th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

The firm’s 50 day moving average is $218.02 and its two-hundred day moving average is $206.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $13.06 billion, a PE ratio of 13.16, a P/E/G ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.90 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.55 earnings per share. Universal Health Services’s quarterly revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd will be given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.40%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 5.32%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Point72 Asset Management L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 362.3% in the 2nd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 322,626 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $59,663,000 after buying an additional 252,846 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 357.9% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 261,221 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $48,308,000 after purchasing an additional 204,178 shares during the period. Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 1,191.8% during the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 215,215 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $39,267,000 after purchasing an additional 198,555 shares during the period. Goldentree Asset Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth $21,378,000. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 408.2% in the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 140,561 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $25,994,000 after acquiring an additional 112,902 shares during the period. 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.