Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS Shares Purchased by Amundi

Amundi raised its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 50.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 403,237 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 134,757 shares during the quarter. Amundi’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $74,385,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of UHS. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 16.6% in the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 10,029 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $1,851,000 after buying an additional 1,430 shares during the last quarter. Capital Fund Management S.A. boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 12.9% in the second quarter. Capital Fund Management S.A. now owns 94,086 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $17,044,000 after acquiring an additional 10,754 shares in the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 102.4% during the second quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,820 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $873,000 after purchasing an additional 2,438 shares during the last quarter. Cresset Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth about $265,000. Finally, Patton Fund Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the second quarter worth about $232,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total value of $852,336.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 8,481 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,893,807.30. This trade represents a 31.04% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total value of $217,800.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 6,113 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,379,704.10. This represents a 13.63% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 16.40% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of UHS opened at $225.93 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.73, a P/E/G ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.03. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $152.33 and a 1 year high of $246.32. The company’s fifty day moving average is $219.95 and its two-hundred day moving average is $194.12.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The health services provider reported $5.69 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.66 by $1.03. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 8.09% and a return on equity of 19.47%. The company had revenue of $4.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.32 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $3.71 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 3.80%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on UHS shares. Barclays increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $250.00 to $263.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, October 11th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $249.00 to $259.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $243.00 to $203.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $234.14.

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.