Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Bought by Huntington National Bank

Huntington National Bank grew its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 414.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 180 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 145 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $41,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its holdings in Universal Health Services by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 1,160 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $215,000 after buying an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. LRI Investments LLC increased its position in Universal Health Services by 19.5% during the second quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 386 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $71,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE raised its stake in Universal Health Services by 3.0% during the third 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 period. Mather Group LLC. boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 31.6% in the 3rd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 283 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Finally, O Neil Global Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 6.7% in the 2nd quarter. O Neil Global Advisors Inc. now owns 1,175 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $217,000 after buying an additional 74 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently commented on UHS. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Stephens reaffirmed an “equal weight” rating and issued a $200.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, July 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. TD Cowen cut their target price on Universal Health Services from $283.00 to $275.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price target on Universal Health Services from $247.00 to $267.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 14th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $196.79 on Wednesday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $220.04 and a 200-day simple moving average of $206.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a one year low of $133.70 and a one year high of $243.25. The company has a market cap of $12.98 billion, a PE ratio of 13.08, a P/E/G ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate 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 firm had revenue of $3.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.90 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.55 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 11.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback 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 purchase up to 8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its shares are 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.