JPMorgan Chase & Co. Reaffirms “Neutral” Rating for Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS)

JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated their neutral rating on shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) in a report published on Tuesday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have a $226.00 target price on the health services provider’s stock.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on the company. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 target price 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 report on Friday, October 11th. They issued a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Barclays increased their price objective 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. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, November 9th. Seven investment 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, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $226.14.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 1.0 %

NYSE UHS opened at $175.80 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $11.60 billion, a PE ratio of 11.69, a PEG ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.28. Universal Health Services has a 12 month low of $148.00 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $204.92 and a 200-day moving average of $208.06. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.75 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The business’s revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.55 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services will post 15.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd were issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 5.32%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total value of $308,516.10. Following the transaction, the director now owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. This trade represents a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of UHS. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter valued at $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the second quarter worth about $35,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Huntington National Bank raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors 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.