TD Cowen Issues Pessimistic Forecast for Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock Price

by · The Cerbat Gem

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS – Get Free Report) had its price target decreased by investment analysts at TD Cowen from $251.00 to $245.00 in a report issued on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “buy” rating on the health services provider’s stock. TD Cowen’s target price points to a potential upside of 17.10% from the company’s previous close.

Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, October 11th. Barclays lifted their price target on Universal Health Services from $250.00 to $263.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Raymond James Financial set a $270.00 price objective on Universal Health Services and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Guggenheim boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $253.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Finally, Zacks Research raised Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $234.20.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Universal Health Services

Universal Health Services Stock Down 5.6%

Shares of UHS traded down $12.52 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $209.23. 434,992 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 695,412. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 0.96. Universal Health Services has a 52 week low of $152.33 and a 52 week high of $246.32. The company has a market cap of $13.07 billion, a PE ratio of 9.95, a P/E/G ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $227.43 and a 200 day simple moving average of $200.47.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The health services provider reported $5.69 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.66 by $1.03. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.09% and a return on equity of 19.47%. The business had revenue of $4.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.32 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.71 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total transaction of $217,800.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 6,113 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,379,704.10. This represents a 13.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were 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 ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 16.40% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 320.0% in the 3rd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 126 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at about $28,000. CYBER HORNET ETFs LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. MUFG Securities EMEA plc acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 94.0% in the third quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 163 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS’s facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.

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