Amalgamated Bank Reduces Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Amalgamated Bank decreased its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 7.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 19,131 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 1,585 shares during the quarter. Amalgamated Bank’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $3,538,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 167 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter worth $35,000. Mather Group LLC. bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at $36,000. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

NYSE:UHS opened at $238.02 on Monday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $219.28 and a 200 day moving average price of $192.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.17, a P/E/G ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.28. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $119.90 and a 12-month high of $241.95. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.37 by $0.94. The business had revenue of $3.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.87 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.22% and a return on equity of 14.91%. The company’s revenue was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.53 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd were issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 3rd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.34%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 6.78%.

Universal Health Services announced that its board has authorized a share repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the health services provider to repurchase up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally an indication that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Stephens restated an “equal weight” rating and set a $200.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Barclays upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $198.00 to $256.00 in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Baird R W upgraded Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 26th. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $183.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $224.92.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total transaction of $531,209.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 6,413 shares in the company, valued at $1,343,844.15. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.85, for a total value of $3,192,479.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,253 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,107,595.05. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total transaction of $531,209.25. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 6,413 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,343,844.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 21,970 shares of company stock worth $4,653,535 in the last 90 days. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Universal Health Services 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.