MBB Public Markets I LLC Invests $892,000 in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

MBB Public Markets I LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 4,825 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $892,000.

Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during 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 acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the second quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $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 Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the completion of 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 legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other Universal Health Services news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 26th. The stock was 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 of the company’s stock, valued at $1,343,844.15. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $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. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.4 %

Universal Health Services stock opened at $229.01 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $15.28 billion, a PE ratio of 19.41, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.28. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $225.91 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $195.10. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $119.90 and a twelve month high of $243.25.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 analyst estimates of $3.87 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.53 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services announced that its Board of Directors has authorized 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 buy 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.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Barclays raised shares of Universal Health Services from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their target price for the company from $198.00 to $256.00 in a research note on Friday, July 26th. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $183.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Monday, August 19th. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. Finally, Baird R W upgraded shares of 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 given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock 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.