National Pension Service Buys 34,771 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

National Pension Service lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 3,477,100.0% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 34,772 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 34,771 shares during the quarter. National Pension Service’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $7,963,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Van ECK Associates Corp boosted 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 worth $215,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. LRI Investments LLC raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 19.5% during the 2nd quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 386 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $71,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE grew its stake in Universal Health Services by 3.0% in the third quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 2,238 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $512,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the period. Mather Group LLC. increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 31.6% during the third quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 283 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $65,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Empirical Finance LLC raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.1% during the first quarter. Empirical Finance LLC now owns 2,455 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $448,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

NYSE UHS opened at $208.43 on Friday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $127.43 and a 52-week high of $243.25. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $225.03 and a 200 day simple moving average of $203.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. The company has a market capitalization of $13.90 billion, a PE ratio of 13.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.75 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The company had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.55 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.89 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the health services provider to buy up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UHS has been the subject of several research reports. UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. TD Cowen decreased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $283.00 to $275.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 28th. KeyCorp began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 11th. They issued a “sector weight” rating on the stock. Stephens reissued an “equal weight” rating and set a $200.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, July 25th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their target price on Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $231.14.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the firm’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 in the company, valued at approximately $864,248.44. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Universal Health Services 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.