Morgan Stanley Initiates Coverage on Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS)

Research analysts at Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage set an “equal weight” rating and a $200.00 price target on the health services provider’s stock. Morgan Stanley’s target price points to a potential upside of 7.37% from the stock’s previous close.

A number of other analysts also recently weighed in on the company. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. TD Cowen decreased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, February 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $228.00 to $198.00 in a report on Monday, December 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, December 17th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $228.38.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 1.0 %

UHS stock opened at $186.27 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.11 billion, a PE ratio of 12.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a fifty day moving average of $181.89 and a 200-day moving average of $197.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. Universal Health Services has a one year low of $152.69 and a one year high of $243.25.

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

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total value of $179,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 7,916 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of UHS. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Quent Capital LLC grew its position in Universal Health Services by 118.3% during the fourth quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 179 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 97 shares during the period. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at about $39,000. Campbell Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth about $46,000. Finally, Huntington National Bank raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 55.6% in the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 280 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other 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.