National Pension Service Buys 14,478 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

National Pension Service grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 41.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 49,250 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 14,478 shares during the quarter. National Pension Service’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $10,069,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Stephens Inc. AR increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 4.2% in the 3rd quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 1,250 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $256,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated now owns 3,512 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $718,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 22.9% during the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 354 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $64,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 2.7% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 2,665 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $501,000 after buying an additional 69 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Choreo LLC boosted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.9% during the second quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 1,838 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $333,000 after acquiring an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total transaction of $852,336.10. Following the sale, the director directly owned 8,481 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,893,807.30. This represents a 31.04% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 16.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of UHS opened at $201.59 on Tuesday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $152.33 and a one year high of $246.32. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $218.85 and a two-hundred day moving average of $203.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.03. The stock has a market cap of $12.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.58, a P/E/G ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.28.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st were 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 was Monday, December 1st. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 3.80%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on UHS. UBS Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $219.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “equal weight” rating and set a $235.00 target price (down previously from $259.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. TD Cowen cut their price objective on Universal Health Services from $251.00 to $245.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $234.13.

Universal Health Services Profile

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS’s facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.