Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by Xponance Inc.

Xponance Inc. cut its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 2.4% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 8,504 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 213 shares during the period. Xponance Inc.’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,573,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the second quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new position in Universal Health Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. 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 3,444 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the director now owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $864,248.44. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total transaction of $180,293.50. Following the transaction, the director now owns 1,985 shares in the company, valued at $421,038.35. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $864,248.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 21,970 shares of company stock valued at $4,653,535. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on UHS. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Monday, August 19th. Stephens reiterated an “equal weight” rating and set a $200.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, UBS Group upped their price objective on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $224.92.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.6 %

UHS opened at $239.76 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $15.99 billion, a PE ratio of 20.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.28. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $119.90 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $223.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $194.01. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $0.94. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The business had revenue of $3.91 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.87 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.53 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd were given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.33%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 6.78%.

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.