Cantor Fitzgerald Reaffirms Underweight Rating for Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS)

Cantor Fitzgerald reissued their underweight rating on shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) in a research note released on Thursday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $162.00 price target on the health services provider’s stock.

Several other equities research analysts have also issued reports on UHS. StockNews.com raised shares of Universal Health Services from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 17th. TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $181.00 to $183.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, April 30th. Baird R W raised shares of Universal Health Services from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. UBS Group raised shares of Universal Health Services from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $189.00 to $226.00 in a report on Monday, May 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, March 28th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $209.00.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 4.2 %

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $213.69 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.30 billion, a PE ratio of 18.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $185.59 and its 200 day moving average is $174.10. Universal Health Services has a 1 year low of $119.90 and a 1 year high of $214.64.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $0.94. The company had revenue of $3.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.87 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.22% and a return on equity of 14.91%. The firm’s revenue was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.53 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 16.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services announced that its board has approved a share buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the health services provider to repurchase up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.37%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 6.78%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares during the period. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at $36,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Denali Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at $37,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by 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.