Wells Fargo & Company Increases Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Price Target to $285.00

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its price objective raised by stock analysts at Wells Fargo & Company from $275.00 to $285.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an “overweight” rating on the health services provider’s stock. Wells Fargo & Company‘s target price indicates a potential upside of 39.84% from the stock’s previous close.

UHS has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. Stephens reiterated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $200.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. TD Cowen lowered their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $283.00 to $275.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald restated a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 3.9 %

NYSE UHS traded down $8.36 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $203.81. 528,579 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 676,470. 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 has a one year low of $127.43 and a one year high of $243.25. The company’s 50-day moving average is $226.24 and its two-hundred day moving average is $203.45. The company has a market capitalization of $13.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.75 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The company’s revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.55 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 15.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has approved a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the health services provider to purchase up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically an indication 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 dated Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $864,248.44. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Point72 Asset Management L.P. lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 362.3% during the second quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 322,626 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $59,663,000 after buying an additional 252,846 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP grew its position in shares of 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 in the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,191.8% during the first 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. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at approximately $25,032,000. Finally, Goldentree Asset Management LP acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth approximately $21,378,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

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.