Swiss National Bank Boosts Stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Swiss National Bank boosted its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 5.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 175,300 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 9,700 shares during the quarter. Swiss National Bank owned approximately 0.27% of Universal Health Services worth $31,756,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter worth approximately $226,000. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 14.9% during the 1st quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 4,590 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $862,000 after purchasing an additional 595 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 11.8% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 14,369 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $2,700,000 after buying an additional 1,511 shares during the last quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd increased its position in Universal Health Services by 9.5% in the first quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd now owns 6,188 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $1,152,000 after buying an additional 535 shares during the period. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its position in Universal Health Services by 5.1% in the first quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 12,681 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $2,383,000 after buying an additional 617 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 2.9%

Shares of UHS stock opened at $243.83 on Wednesday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $152.33 and a 1 year high of $245.44. The stock has a market cap of $15.24 billion, a PE ratio of 11.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.33. The business’s fifty day moving average is $212.46 and its 200-day moving average is $191.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.03.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The health services provider reported $5.69 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.66 by $1.03. The business had revenue of $4.50 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.32 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.47% and a net margin of 8.09%.The company’s revenue was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.71 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.3%. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is currently 3.80%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, October 11th. Mizuho set a $242.00 price objective on Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Zacks Research raised Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. Guggenheim lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $253.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $232.64.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total value of $852,336.10. Following the transaction, the director owned 8,481 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,893,807.30. The trade was a 31.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total value of $217,800.50. Following the sale, the director owned 6,113 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,379,704.10. This trade represents a 13.63% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 16.40% of the company’s stock.

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.