Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Receives New Coverage from Analysts at KeyCorp

KeyCorp assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) in a research note published on Friday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. The brokerage issued a sector weight rating on the health services provider’s stock. KeyCorp also issued estimates for Universal Health Services’ FY2024 earnings at $15.60 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $17.36 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $19.48 EPS.

Several other research analysts have also issued reports on UHS. StockNews.com upgraded Universal Health Services from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 17th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. UBS Group lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, September 9th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $224.92.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Universal Health Services stock opened at $214.39 on Friday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $227.50 and its 200-day moving average price is $197.21. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The company has a market cap of $14.30 billion, a PE ratio of 15.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.27. Universal Health Services has a twelve month low of $119.90 and a twelve month high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 business had revenue of $3.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.87 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.53 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has initiated a stock repurchase 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 buy up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd were given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.37%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 3rd. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is 5.87%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at approximately $864,248.44. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 12th. The stock was 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 in the company, valued at approximately $864,248.44. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction 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 sale, the director now directly owns 6,413 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,343,844.15. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 21,970 shares of company stock worth $4,653,535 over the last quarter. Insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 17.0% in the fourth quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 164,670 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $25,102,000 after buying an additional 23,951 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 42.8% in the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 736,542 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $112,278,000 after acquiring an additional 220,823 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 26.6% in the fourth quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 13,109 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,998,000 after acquiring an additional 2,756 shares during the period. Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at $55,000. Finally, Symmetry Partners LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at $202,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

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.