Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Sets New 1-Year High – Here’s Why

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)’s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $228.08 and last traded at $227.7380, with a volume of 646210 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $224.19.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $219.00 target price on the stock. Guggenheim upped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $253.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $250.00 to $263.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Raymond James Financial set a $270.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, nine 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 an average price target of $233.20.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 1.6%

The company’s 50-day moving average is $199.47 and its 200 day moving average is $185.65. The company has a market capitalization of $14.49 billion, a PE ratio of 10.82, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.03.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The health services provider reported $5.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.66 by $1.03. The business had revenue of $4.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.32 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.09% and a return on equity of 19.47%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.71 EPS. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2025 guidance at 21.500-22.100 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total value of $217,800.50. Following the transaction, the director owned 6,113 shares in the company, valued at $1,379,704.10. This represents a 13.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 16.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 16.6% in the second quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 10,029 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,851,000 after buying an additional 1,430 shares during the last quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 5.4% in the first quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 5,152 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $968,000 after buying an additional 264 shares during the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 102.4% in the second quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,820 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $873,000 after buying an additional 2,438 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 20.0% in the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 80,408 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $15,109,000 after buying an additional 13,413 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cresset Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth $265,000. 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.