Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC Acquires 41,121 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 1,353.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 44,159 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 41,121 shares during the quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned approximately 0.07% of Universal Health Services worth $10,113,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 0.8% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,099,282 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $1,295,335,000 after acquiring an additional 57,036 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in Universal Health Services by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 486,438 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $89,957,000 after purchasing an additional 2,620 shares during the period. Pzena Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 41.2% in the 1st quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 455,773 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $83,160,000 after purchasing an additional 132,942 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 362.3% during the 2nd quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 322,626 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $59,663,000 after purchasing an additional 252,846 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 357.9% during the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 261,221 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $48,308,000 after buying an additional 204,178 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of NYSE UHS opened at $202.75 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $13.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.18, a PEG ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.27. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $121.00 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The company has a 50 day moving average of $229.55 and a 200 day moving average of $201.02.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings results 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). The business had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.55 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback program on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the health services provider to reacquire up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have weighed in on UHS shares. Stephens reaffirmed an “equal weight” rating and set a $200.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. KeyCorp began coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 11th. They set a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Friday. Barclays raised their price objective on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Five investment 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’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $232.46.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the firm’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 sale, the director now owns 1,985 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $421,038.35. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other 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 transaction, the director now directly owns 1,985 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $421,038.35. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at approximately $864,248.44. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 16.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.