Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC Purchases 34,677 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC grew its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 857.9% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 38,719 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 34,677 shares during the period. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC owned approximately 0.06% of Universal Health Services worth $7,160,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the second quarter worth $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at $36,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total value of $531,209.25. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,413 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,343,844.15. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the sale, the director now owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $864,248.44. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total value of $531,209.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,413 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $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 valued at $4,653,535 in the last ninety days. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

NYSE:UHS opened at $229.92 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $15.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.48, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.28. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $224.97 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $194.56. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $119.90 and a one year high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 1.17.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $0.94. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.22% and a return on equity of 14.91%. The firm had revenue of $3.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.87 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.53 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has approved a share buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the health services provider to buy up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 3rd were paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.35%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 6.78%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Monday, September 9th. TD Cowen upped their target price on Universal Health Services from $183.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, July 26th. Baird R W raised Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 26th. UBS Group boosted their price target on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Finally, Stephens reissued an “equal weight” rating and issued a $200.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $224.92.

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.