Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Cut to Hold at Wall Street Zen
by Doug Wharley · The Cerbat GemWall Street Zen cut shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS – Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday morning.
Several other equities analysts also recently commented on UHS. Zacks Research downgraded Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. UBS Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on Universal Health Services from $235.00 to $212.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 2nd. Barclays lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $262.00 to $268.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, February 26th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Monday, December 29th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $232.21.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Universal Health Services
Universal Health Services Price Performance
Universal Health Services stock opened at $180.92 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The company has a market capitalization of $11.05 billion, a PE ratio of 7.82, a P/E/G ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.29. Universal Health Services has a 12 month low of $152.33 and a 12 month high of $246.32. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $203.02 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $211.90.
Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The health services provider reported $5.88 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $5.92 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $4.49 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.50 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.57% and a return on equity of 19.65%. Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $4.92 earnings per share. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2026 guidance at 22.640-24.520 EPS. Analysts expect that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.
Universal Health Services Announces Dividend
The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd were issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 2nd. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is presently 3.46%.
Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services
Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 34.9% in the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 68,501 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $13,941,000 after acquiring an additional 17,728 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 22.1% in the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 781,145 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $159,698,000 after acquiring an additional 141,621 shares during the period. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,359,000. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 36.0% in the third quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 54,960 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $11,236,000 after acquiring an additional 14,536 shares during the period. Finally, AMG National Trust Bank acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,912,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.
Universal Health Services Company Profile
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.