Lifepoint Hospitals (LPNT) Upgraded by Zacks Investment Research to “Outperform”

Lifepoint Hospitals (NASDAQ: LPNT) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “neutral” rating to an “outperform” rating in a report issued on Saturday.

Separately, analysts at Citigroup (NYSE: C) downgraded shares of Lifepoint Hospitals from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note to investors on Tuesday, January 3rd. Analysts at BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on shares of Lifepoint Hospitals in a research note to investors on Friday, December 2nd. They set a “market perform” rating and a $39.00 price target on the stock. Also, analysts at Oppenheimer (NYSE: OPY) raised their EPS on shares of Lifepoint Hospitals in a research note to investors on Tuesday, November 15th. They now have a “market perform” rating and a $41.00 price target on the stock.

LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. (LifePoint), through its subsidiaries, operates general acute care hospitals in non-urban communities in the United States. As of December 31, 2009, the Company owned or leased 47 hospitals through subsidiaries, having a total of 5,552 licensed beds, and serving communities in 17 states. Seven of its hospitals are owned by third parties and leased by its subsidiaries. Life Point generates revenues primarily through hospital services offered at its facilities. During the year ended December 31, 2009, it derived 39.9% of its revenues from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. On February 1, 2009, it acquired Rockdale, a 138 bed acute care hospital located in Conyers, Georgia. In September 2010, the Company acquired Sumner Regional Health Systems.

Shares of Lifepoint Hospitals opened at 36.84 on Friday. Lifepoint Hospitals has a 52 week low of $28.95 and a 52 week high of $43.45. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $36.67 and its 200-day moving average is $36.38. The company has a market cap of $1.774 billion and a P/E ratio of 11.69.