Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Short Interest Update

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) saw a significant increase in short interest in November. As of November 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,530,000 shares, an increase of 24.4% from the October 31st total of 1,230,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 773,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.0 days. Approximately 2.8% of the company’s shares are sold short.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. KeyCorp assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 11th. They set a “sector weight” rating on the stock. UBS Group upped their price target 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. StockNews.com lowered Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 9th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $225.50.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Universal Health Services stock traded down $4.05 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $200.95. 726,431 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 686,542. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. Universal Health Services has a 12 month low of $133.70 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.29. The business has a 50 day moving average of $214.82 and a two-hundred day moving average of $207.47.

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 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 firm had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.55 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 15.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

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

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Point72 Asset Management L.P. raised its position in Universal Health Services by 362.3% in 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 acquiring an additional 252,846 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP lifted 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 valued at $48,308,000 after buying an additional 204,178 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 408.2% during the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 140,561 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $25,994,000 after acquiring an additional 112,902 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 102.0% in the 3rd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 210,926 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $48,304,000 after acquiring an additional 106,517 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $18,031,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently 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.