Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock Price Down 2.9% – Here’s What Happened

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)’s share price was down 2.9% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $174.10 and last traded at $174.37. Approximately 25,383 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 84% from the average daily volume of 156,079 shares. The stock had previously closed at $179.67.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UHS has been the subject of a number of research reports. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 25th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 25th. KeyCorp initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 11th. They set a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Finally, TD Cowen dropped their target price on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $226.14.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.4 %

The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $195.09 and its 200 day simple moving average is $207.54. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a market capitalization of $11.81 billion, a PE ratio of 11.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The firm had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.55 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.88 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.45%. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is 5.32%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total value of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at $1,123,770.85. This trade represents a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at about $39,000. Huntington National Bank grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 414.3% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 41.8% in the 2nd quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 251 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sentry Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $64,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

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.