Sanctuary Advisors LLC Buys New Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 11,305 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $2,091,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Inspire Investing LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at about $897,000. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 95.9% during the 1st quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 19,511 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $3,560,000 after buying an additional 9,549 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 27.9% in the 1st quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 65,643 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $11,998,000 after acquiring an additional 14,326 shares during the last quarter. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth approximately $738,000. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 5,033.3% during the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 7,084 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $1,292,000 after acquiring an additional 6,946 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.85, for a total transaction of $3,192,479.85. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 5,253 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,107,595.05. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other Universal Health Services news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the stock in a transaction 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. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of Universal Health Services 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 owns 5,253 shares in the company, valued at $1,107,595.05. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 21,970 shares of company stock valued at $4,653,535 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.1 %

NYSE:UHS opened at $212.52 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $14.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.27. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $119.90 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $227.55 and a 200-day simple moving average of $196.73.

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, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.37 by $0.94. The company 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 firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.53 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.91 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has initiated a stock repurchase 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 buy up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.38%. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is currently 6.78%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on UHS shares. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, October 1st. Barclays upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and upped their target price for the company from $198.00 to $256.00 in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Stephens reiterated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $200.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Monday, September 9th. Finally, Baird R W upgraded Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 26th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target 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.