Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Reaches New 1-Year High – Here’s What Happened

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)’s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $232.55 and last traded at $233.2570, with a volume of 72040 shares. The stock had previously closed at $225.38.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently issued reports on UHS. Morgan Stanley set a $233.00 price objective on Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $243.00 to $203.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Barclays increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $250.00 to $263.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have issued a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $233.87.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

The stock has a 50 day moving average of $209.56 and a two-hundred day moving average of $190.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.07, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.33.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The health services provider reported $5.69 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.66 by $1.03. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.47% and a net margin of 8.09%.The company had revenue of $4.50 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.32 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.71 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.3%. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is currently 3.80%.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total transaction of $217,800.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 6,113 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,379,704.10. The trade was a 13.63% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total transaction of $852,336.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 8,481 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,893,807.30. The trade was a 31.04% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 16.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 26.9% during the 1st quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 59,519 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $11,184,000 after buying an additional 12,629 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at about $226,000. IFP Advisors Inc raised its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 6.7% in the first quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,315 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $247,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 2.2% during the first quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 4,483 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $843,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.7% during the first quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH now owns 47,660 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $8,955,000 after purchasing an additional 315 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.