Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Now Covered by Morgan Stanley

Research analysts at Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) in a report released on Wednesday,Briefing.com Automated Import reports. The firm set an “equal weight” rating and a $200.00 price target on the health services provider’s stock. Morgan Stanley’s price target would indicate a potential upside of 7.69% from the company’s current price.

A number of other research firms also recently issued reports on UHS. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $271.00 to $249.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 27th. Stephens increased their price target on Universal Health Services from $210.00 to $223.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $230.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $226.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, December 17th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $228.38.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS opened at $185.72 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $181.82 and its 200-day simple moving average is $197.84. Universal Health Services has a one year low of $152.69 and a one year high of $243.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.53 and a beta of 1.32.

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

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $179.16, for a total transaction of $179,160.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 7,916 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,418,230.56. The trade was a 11.22 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in UHS. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 73.3% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 23,049 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $4,135,000 after purchasing an additional 9,747 shares during the last quarter. QSM Asset Management Ltd bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at about $7,045,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth about $8,495,000. Forum Financial Management LP boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 20.0% during the 4th quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 1,953 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $350,000 after buying an additional 326 shares during the period. Finally, GF Fund Management CO. LTD. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 4th quarter worth about $254,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.