abrdn plc Acquires 8,339 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

abrdn plc grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 44.7% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 27,013 shares of the health services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 8,339 shares during the quarter. abrdn plc’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $4,118,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of UHS. Greenleaf Trust bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the fourth quarter valued at $217,000. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 5,532 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $843,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares in the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 39.1% during the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 14,855 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $2,264,000 after purchasing an additional 4,174 shares during the last quarter. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. Cornercap Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 16,501 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $2,515,000 after buying an additional 391 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System bought a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth approximately $564,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, CFO Steve Filton sold 35,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, March 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.82, for a total value of $6,188,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 68,785 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,162,563.70. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 16.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 0.6 %

NYSE UHS opened at $166.06 on Monday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $119.90 and a 1 year high of $183.61. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.16 billion, a PE ratio of 14.07, a PEG ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, a current ratio of 1.38 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The business’s 50-day moving average is $170.63 and its 200 day moving average is $153.68.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 24th. The health services provider reported $3.70 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.14 by $0.56. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 13.34% and a net margin of 5.57%. The firm had revenue of $3.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.78 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.34 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 13.47 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on UHS shares. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $170.00 to $189.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, March 4th. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $170.00 to $193.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 29th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $144.00 to $182.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 13th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price objective on Universal Health Services from $208.00 to $203.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $182.64.

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.