Inspire Investing LLC Has $768,000 Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Inspire Investing LLC reduced its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 15.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,152 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 762 shares during the period. Inspire Investing LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $768,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Van ECK Associates Corp increased its position in Universal Health Services by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 1,160 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $215,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. LRI Investments LLC increased its position in Universal Health Services by 19.5% in the 2nd quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 386 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $71,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Universal Health Services by 11.4% in the 1st quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 624 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $114,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Empirical Finance LLC increased its position in Universal Health Services by 3.1% in the 1st quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 2,455 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $448,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the last quarter. Finally, O Neil Global Advisors Inc. increased its position in Universal Health Services by 6.7% in the 2nd quarter. O Neil Global Advisors Inc. now owns 1,175 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $217,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

UHS opened at $238.02 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.28. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $218.21 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $191.78. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $119.90 and a 12-month high of $241.95.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $0.94. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The company had revenue of $3.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.87 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.53 EPS. Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.34%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 3rd. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is presently 6.78%.

Universal Health Services announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the health services provider to reacquire up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have recently commented on UHS. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Monday, August 19th. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. UBS Group increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Barclays raised Universal Health Services from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their price objective for the company from $198.00 to $256.00 in a report on Friday, July 26th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $224.92.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total transaction of $180,293.50. Following the sale, the director now owns 1,985 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $421,038.35. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total value of $531,209.25. Following the sale, the director now owns 6,413 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,343,844.15. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total value of $180,293.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 1,985 shares in the company, valued at approximately $421,038.35. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 21,970 shares of company stock valued at $4,653,535. 16.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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.