Public Sector Pension Investment Board Has $420,000 Stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Public Sector Pension Investment Board increased its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 67.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,272 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 912 shares during the period. Public Sector Pension Investment Board’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $420,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UHS. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth about $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake 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 acquiring an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the second quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Mather Group LLC. acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth $36,000. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 2,535 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total value of $531,209.25. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,413 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,343,844.15. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction 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 owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at $864,248.44. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 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 directly owns 6,413 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,343,844.15. 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. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 3.9 %

Universal Health Services stock opened at $215.17 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $119.90 and a 52-week high of $243.25. The company has a market cap of $14.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.23, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $227.45 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $195.65.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued 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. The company had revenue of $3.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.87 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 6.22%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.53 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.91 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services announced that its board has approved a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the health services provider to purchase up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are often an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 3rd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.37%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 6.78%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on UHS. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 30th. Baird R W raised Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 26th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. Finally, UBS Group lifted 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. Five research 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. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price 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.