Tredje AP fonden Decreases Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Tredje AP fonden decreased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 1.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 9,688 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 150 shares during the quarter. Tredje AP fonden’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,792,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 24.6% in the second quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 4,236 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $783,000 after purchasing an additional 837 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter worth about $18,031,000. Perissos Private Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $795,000. O Neil Global Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 6.7% during the 2nd quarter. O Neil Global Advisors Inc. now owns 1,175 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $217,000 after acquiring an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GHP Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 2.6% in the second quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 35,973 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $6,652,000 after purchasing an additional 910 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UHS has been the subject of several research reports. Barclays upgraded Universal Health Services from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $198.00 to $256.00 in a research report on Friday, July 26th. TD Cowen increased their price target on Universal Health Services from $183.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Monday, August 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $182.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on 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. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $224.92.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

NYSE UHS opened at $238.02 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $218.21 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $191.78. The company 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. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $119.90 and a 12-month high of $241.95.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued 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 return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The company had revenue of $3.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.87 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.53 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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

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

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 of the company’s stock, valued at $864,248.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of the company’s 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 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 sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at $864,248.44. 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 over the last three months. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Universal Health Services Company 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.