Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Shares Gap Up on Earnings Beat

Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) gapped up before the market opened on Thursday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The stock had previously closed at $165.90, but opened at $174.95. Universal Health Services shares last traded at $162.90, with a volume of 332,525 shares changing hands.

The health services provider reported $3.70 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.14 by $0.56. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 5.57% and a return on equity of 13.43%. The company had revenue of $3.84 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.78 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.34 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently issued reports on UHS shares. StockNews.com raised Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $144.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 13th. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $140.00 to $181.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Friday, March 1st. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $181.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price target on Universal Health Services from $208.00 to $203.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $180.60.

Insider Activity

In other Universal Health Services news, CFO Steve Filton sold 35,000 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, March 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.82, for a total value of $6,188,700.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 68,785 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,162,563.70. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 42.8% in the third quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 267 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Denali Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth approximately $37,000. GAMMA Investing LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $42,000. Finally, Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $55,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.6 %

The stock has a market cap of $11.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.07, a PEG ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 1.24. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $170.63 and a 200 day simple moving average of $153.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a current ratio of 1.40.

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.