Venturi Wealth Management LLC Boosts Stock Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 70.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 476 shares of the health services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 197 shares during the quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $109,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in UHS. Van ECK Associates Corp increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 4.2% during the second quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 1,160 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $215,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the last quarter. LRI Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 19.5% during the 2nd quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 386 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $71,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 2,238 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $512,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 31.6% in the 3rd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 283 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the period. Finally, O Neil Global Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Universal Health Services by 6.7% in the second 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.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

NYSE:UHS opened at $202.99 on Thursday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $130.78 and a 52-week high of $243.25. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $222.50 and a 200 day moving average of $204.92. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $13.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.50, a P/E/G ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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). The business had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. The business’s revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.55 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have issued reports on UHS shares. TD Cowen decreased their target price on 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. StockNews.com cut Universal Health Services from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 9th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 25th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $231.14.

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.