Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock Price Down 3.3% – Time to Sell?

Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) were down 3.3% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $191.00 and last traded at $191.00. Approximately 49,613 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 93% from the average daily volume of 680,324 shares. The stock had previously closed at $197.52.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently commented on UHS shares. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 25th. TD Cowen cut their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $283.00 to $275.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 28th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.2 %

The firm has a market capitalization of $13.06 billion, a PE ratio of 13.16, a P/E/G ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.29. 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 business’s fifty day moving average price is $218.02 and its 200 day moving average price is $206.09.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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 for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.55 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 3rd will be given a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.40%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 5.32%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of UHS. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the second quarter worth approximately $35,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Huntington National Bank boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Universal Health Services

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.