UPDATE: Cantor Ftizgerald Raises LifePoint Hospitals PT; Reiterates Buy Rating

According to a research report this morning, Cantor Fitzgerald raises its PT for LifePoint Hospitals LPNT from $44 to $46 to reflect a strong first quarter as they reiterate a Buy rating. Cantor Fitzgerald stated, “Key basic measures of demand improved substantially in 1Q:12, including adjusted admissions, which were essentially flat (down 0.4%), but better than the past 18 months; surgery, which jumped 4.9%; and ER visits, which increased 1.6%. Revenue per admission, a measure of mix, jumped 4.7% (before a Medicare settlement), one of the best results that LifePoint has posted in this metric over the past two years.” LifePoint Hospitals closed Friday at $39.94.