Creative Planning Increases Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Creative Planning grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 23.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 10,319 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 1,929 shares during the quarter. Creative Planning’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,869,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of UHS. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new position in Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 347.6% during the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 188 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. Huntington National Bank boosted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 240.0% during the second quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 204 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the period. Federated Hermes Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 89.7% in the first quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 258 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 22.9% in the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 354 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $64,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on UHS. Guggenheim lifted their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $253.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $243.00 to $203.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. Morgan Stanley set a $233.00 price target on Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Saturday, October 11th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $232.64.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total value of $217,800.50. Following the transaction, the director owned 6,113 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,379,704.10. The trade was a 13.63% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total transaction of $852,336.10. Following the transaction, the director owned 8,481 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,893,807.30. This trade represents a 31.04% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 16.40% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $244.23 on Thursday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $213.60 and a 200 day moving average of $191.73. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The company has a market capitalization of $15.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.33. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $152.33 and a 52 week high of $246.33.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The health services provider reported $5.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.66 by $1.03. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.47% and a net margin of 8.09%.The business had revenue of $4.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.32 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.71 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be paid a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st. Universal Health Services’s payout ratio is 3.80%.

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.