Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock Falls 5.7% – Here’s What Happened

Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)’s share price dropped 5.7% during mid-day trading on Tuesday. The company traded as low as $177.08 and last traded at $175.0410. 286,897 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 65% from the average daily volume of 828,588 shares. The stock had previously closed at $185.71.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $212.00 to $191.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. Leerink Partners increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $198.00 to $205.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, September 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a “sector perform” rating and issued a $183.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, August 20th. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $179.00 to $168.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on Universal Health Services from $204.00 to $166.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $204.94.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 1.04. The firm has a market cap of $10.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.16, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.03. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $177.10 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $177.97.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The health services provider reported $5.98 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $5.94 by $0.04. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.39% and a net margin of 8.42%. The business had revenue of $4.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.58 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $5.35 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 22.85 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 852.7% in the second quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 45,389 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $6,749,000 after buying an additional 40,625 shares during the last quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 840.2% during the second quarter. Engineers Gate Manager LP now owns 10,643 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,583,000 after buying an additional 9,511 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 13.6% during the second quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 377,986 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $56,203,000 after buying an additional 45,310 shares during the period. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the second quarter valued at $17,679,000. Finally, Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 79.8% during the first quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 47,576 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $8,515,000 after buying an additional 21,122 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Universal Health Services

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is a healthcare services company that owns and operates hospitals, outpatient facilities and other healthcare providers. Its operations are focused primarily on acute care and behavioral health services.

The company’s acute care operations include general and specialty hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, emergency departments, physician practices and other outpatient services. Its behavioral health business provides inpatient and outpatient treatment for mental health conditions, substance-use disorders and related needs.

Universal Health Services serves patients across the United States and Puerto Rico, with additional behavioral health operations in the United Kingdom.