Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Purchased by Mackenzie Financial Corp

Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 408.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 140,561 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 112,902 shares during the quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $25,994,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 4.2% during the 2nd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 1,160 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $215,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the period. LRI Investments LLC grew its position in Universal Health Services by 19.5% in the second quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 386 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $71,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the period. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Universal Health Services by 11.4% during the first quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 624 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $114,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares during the last quarter. Empirical Finance LLC raised its position in Universal Health Services by 3.1% in the first quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 2,455 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $448,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the period. Finally, O Neil Global Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 6.7% in the 2nd quarter. O Neil Global Advisors Inc. now owns 1,175 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $217,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently issued reports on UHS shares. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a research report on Monday, September 9th. StockNews.com raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Baird R W raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 26th. UBS Group boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Finally, Stephens restated an “equal weight” rating and set a $200.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $224.92.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In related news, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.85, for a total value of $3,192,479.85. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 5,253 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,107,595.05. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In related news, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.85, for a total value of $3,192,479.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 5,253 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,107,595.05. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total transaction of $531,209.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 6,413 shares in the company, valued at $1,343,844.15. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 21,970 shares of company stock valued at $4,653,535. Insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 4.1 %

UHS opened at $229.92 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $224.97 and a 200 day moving average price of $194.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.28 and a quick ratio of 1.17. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $119.90 and a 12 month high of $243.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $15.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.48, a PEG ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 business had revenue of $3.91 billion during 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 business’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.53 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Stockholders 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.35%. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is 6.78%.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the health services provider to reacquire up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are usually a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

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.