Los Angeles Capital Management LLC Decreases Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Los Angeles Capital Management LLC lessened its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 16.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 104,409 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 20,514 shares during the period. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC owned 0.16% of Universal Health Services worth $19,308,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. National Bank of Canada FI boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 96,073 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $17,504,000 after buying an additional 2,886 shares in the last quarter. Chase Investment Counsel Corp acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the second quarter valued at approximately $3,051,000. Foster & Motley Inc. grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 29.7% in the second quarter. Foster & Motley Inc. now owns 2,557 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $473,000 after purchasing an additional 586 shares during the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.5% during the second quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 16,533 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $3,057,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cozad Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter valued at $4,250,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the sale, the director now owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at $864,248.44. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of Universal Health Services 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 transaction, the director now owns 6,413 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,343,844.15. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the transaction, the director now owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at approximately $864,248.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 21,970 shares of company stock worth $4,653,535 in the last three months. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $182.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Monday, August 19th. Stephens reissued an “equal weight” rating and set a $200.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $222.38.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

NYSE:UHS opened at $229.15 on Friday. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $209.38 and its two-hundred day moving average is $187.78. The firm has a market cap of $15.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.42, a PEG ratio of 0.79 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. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $119.90 and a one year high of $241.95.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.37 by $0.94. The firm had revenue of $3.91 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.87 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The company’s revenue was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.53 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.91 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase plan 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 buy up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

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

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.