Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock Rating Lowered by Baird R W

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) was downgraded by equities research analysts at Baird R W from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a note issued to investors on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

UHS has been the subject of several other research reports. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $200.00 price target for the company. Barclays decreased their target price on Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Robert W. Baird reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $224.00 price target (down previously from $274.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 10th. Finally, Guggenheim initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $208.00 price objective for the company. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $224.92.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS opened at $173.60 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $179.09 and a 200 day moving average of $191.91. The stock has a market cap of $11.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.54, a PEG ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Universal Health Services has a 52-week low of $152.69 and a 52-week high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 26th. The health services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.21 by $0.71. The firm had revenue of $4.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. This represents a 11.22 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 16.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Universal Health Services

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Quent Capital LLC increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 118.3% in the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the period. Sentry Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 49.3% during the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 203 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the period. Finally, Campbell Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter valued at $46,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

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.