Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt Takes Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 400 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $92,000.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth about $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 2nd quarter worth about $35,000. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth about $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 2.2 %

Universal Health Services stock opened at $225.34 on Wednesday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $227.95 and its 200 day simple moving average is $198.03. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $119.90 and a fifty-two week high of $243.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.10, a PEG ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.27. 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 (NYSE:UHS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 business had revenue of $3.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.87 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.53 EPS. Universal Health Services’s quarterly revenue was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.91 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services announced that its board has initiated 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 purchase up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 3rd. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.36%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 6.78%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Universal Health Services news, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of the firm’s 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 directly owns 5,253 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,107,595.05. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Universal Health Services news, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of the firm’s 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 directly owns 5,253 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,107,595.05. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total transaction of $531,209.25. Following the sale, the director now owns 6,413 shares in the company, valued at $1,343,844.15. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 21,970 shares of company stock worth $4,653,535. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, October 1st. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Monday, September 9th. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $224.92.

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.