Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC Has $1.65 Million Stock Holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC raised its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 23.9% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 8,900 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,718 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,646,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UHS. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 24.6% in the second quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 4,236 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $783,000 after buying an additional 837 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the second quarter valued at $18,031,000. Perissos Private Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter valued at about $795,000. O Neil Global Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 6.7% during the 2nd quarter. O Neil Global Advisors Inc. now owns 1,175 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $217,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GHP Investment Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 2.6% in the 2nd quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 35,973 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $6,652,000 after purchasing an additional 910 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was 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 owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $864,248.44. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.85, for a total transaction of $3,192,479.85. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 5,253 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,107,595.05. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at $864,248.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 21,970 shares of company stock worth $4,653,535. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.1 %

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $238.02 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $119.90 and a 52-week high of $241.95. The stock has a market cap of $15.93 billion, a PE ratio of 20.17, a PEG ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 1.28. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $219.28 and a 200-day moving average of $192.34. 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 (NYSE:UHS) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.37 by $0.94. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.22% and a return on equity of 14.91%. The firm had revenue of $3.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.87 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.53 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.91 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the health services provider to buy up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd were issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.34%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 6.78%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms recently commented on UHS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Universal Health Services from $182.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Baird R W upgraded Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. UBS Group raised their price target on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 14th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a report on Monday, September 9th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $224.92.

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.