Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Sold by Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA

Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lowered its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 8.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,717,962 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 157,177 shares during the quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA owned about 2.57% of Universal Health Services worth $317,703,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. O Neil Global Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of 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 period. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 2.6% during the second quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 35,973 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $6,652,000 after acquiring an additional 910 shares during the period. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.0% during the second quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 4,655 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $893,000 after acquiring an additional 134 shares during the period. Meeder Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,621.7% during the second quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,231 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $1,337,000 after acquiring an additional 6,811 shares during the period. Finally, Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. increased its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 0.9% during the second quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 11,551 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $2,136,000 after acquiring an additional 101 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

UHS has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $189.00 to $222.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Monday, September 9th. Baird R W upgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 26th. Stephens reiterated an “equal weight” rating and set a $200.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Monday, August 19th. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their target price 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. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $224.92.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related 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 value of $3,192,479.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 5,253 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,107,595.05. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Universal Health Services news, EVP Matthew Jay Peterson sold 15,141 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 5,253 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,107,595.05. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of Universal Health Services 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 sale, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $864,248.44. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 21,970 shares of company stock valued at $4,653,535. Company insiders own 16.10% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 1.0 %

Universal Health Services stock opened at $234.87 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $215.01 and a 200 day moving average price of $190.72. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $119.90 and a 52 week high of $241.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.90, a P/E/G ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 24th. The health services provider reported $4.31 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates 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 firm had revenue of $3.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.87 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.53 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 10.1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.91 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 3rd will be paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.34%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 3rd. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is 6.78%.

Universal Health Services announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase 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 buy up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are generally a sign that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

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.