Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by Signaturefd LLC

Signaturefd LLC cut its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 15.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 565 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 102 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $129,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings 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 valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the second quarter worth $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth $36,000. Denali Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth $37,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth $43,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

NYSE:UHS opened at $204.55 on Tuesday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $121.55 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a 50-day moving average of $229.09 and a 200-day moving average of $201.49. The firm has a market cap of $13.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.27.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The business had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.55 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services announced that its board has initiated a share repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the health services provider to repurchase up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $255.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Cantor Fitzgerald restated a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, October 19th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Five 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $231.00.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at approximately $864,248.44. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Universal Health Services news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were 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 of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $421,038.35. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $864,248.44. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

About Universal Health Services

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.