Exchange Traded Concepts LLC Acquires Shares of 1,795 Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Exchange Traded Concepts LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 1,795 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $411,000.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in 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 worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the second quarter valued at $35,000. Mather Group LLC. bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth $36,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $236.67 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $229.19 and its 200-day simple moving average is $199.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.28. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $119.90 and a one year high of $243.25. The firm has a market cap of $15.84 billion, a PE ratio of 20.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 1.27.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its earnings results 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. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The business had revenue of $3.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.87 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.53 EPS. Universal Health Services’s revenue was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.87 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the health services provider to reacquire up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The shares were 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 directly owns 5,253 shares in the company, valued at $1,107,595.05. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the company’s 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 completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 1,985 shares in the company, valued at $421,038.35. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated 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 trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 21,970 shares of company stock worth $4,653,535 over the last three months. 16.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently commented on UHS shares. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Tuesday, October 1st. Stephens reiterated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $200.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $255.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. TD Cowen upgraded Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $220.00 to $283.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Baird R W upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 26th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $229.77.

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.