Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Given Average Recommendation of “Hold” by Analysts

Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) have been given an average rating of “Hold” by the fifteen analysts that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, eight have issued a hold recommendation and six have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $232.2143.

Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Wall Street Zen lowered Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, April 4th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective 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 boosted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $262.00 to $268.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, February 26th. UBS Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Monday, December 29th.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 3.5%

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $186.92 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The firm has a market cap of $11.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.07, a P/E/G ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.29. Universal Health Services has a fifty-two week low of $152.33 and a fifty-two week high of $246.32. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $202.27 and a 200 day moving average price of $211.66.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 25th. The health services provider reported $5.88 earnings per share 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%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $4.92 earnings per share. Universal Health Services has set its FY 2026 guidance at 22.640-24.520 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 2nd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is 3.46%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in UHS. Elyxium Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 320.0% during the third quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 126 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Founders Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Universal Health Services

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.