Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Earns Neutral Rating from Cantor Fitzgerald

Cantor Fitzgerald reissued their neutral rating on shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) in a report published on Tuesday morning, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $219.00 price objective on the health services provider’s stock.

UHS has been the topic of several other reports. Baird R W upgraded Universal Health Services from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 26th. Stephens restated an equal weight rating and set a $200.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $255.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, September 9th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. Five investment 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 data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $224.92.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 3.9 %

NYSE:UHS opened at $215.17 on Tuesday. Universal Health Services has a one year low of $119.90 and a one year high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.28. The firm has a market cap of $14.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.23, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.28. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $227.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $195.65.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $0.94. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.22% and a return on equity of 14.91%. The firm had revenue of $3.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.87 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.53 EPS. Universal Health Services’s revenue was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total transaction of $531,209.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 6,413 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,343,844.15. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the sale, the director now owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $864,248.44. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total value of $531,209.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 6,413 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,343,844.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 21,970 shares of company stock valued at $4,653,535 over the last quarter. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the second quarter worth $35,000. Mather Group LLC. purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth $36,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other 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.