Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Acquired by MML Investors Services LLC

MML Investors Services LLC boosted its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 18.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,030 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 318 shares during the period. MML Investors Services LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $465,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth $39,000. Huntington National Bank raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 414.3% in the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 41.8% in the 2nd quarter. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. now owns 251 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

UHS stock opened at $180.72 on Tuesday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $150.11 and a 1-year high of $243.25. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $204.23 and a 200 day moving average price of $208.31. The company has a market capitalization of $11.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.02, a PEG ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its 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 firm had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. Universal Health Services’s revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.55 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd were given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, December 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 5.32%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

UHS has been the subject of several research reports. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $223.00 price objective for the company. KeyCorp started coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 11th. They set a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Barclays raised their target price on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Universal Health Services from $285.00 to $230.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 25th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $226.14.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total transaction of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,123,770.85. The trade was a 21.54 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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.