First Trust Advisors LP Has $37.03 Million Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

First Trust Advisors LP lessened its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 2.1% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 204,410 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 4,344 shares during the quarter. First Trust Advisors LP owned approximately 0.31% of Universal Health Services worth $37,029,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at $30,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in Universal Health Services by 347.6% in the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 188 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank raised its position in Universal Health Services by 240.0% during the 2nd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 204 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. raised its position in Universal Health Services by 89.7% during the 1st 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 lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 22.9% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 354 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $64,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the period. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.30, for a total value of $852,336.10. Following the completion of the sale, 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. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total transaction of $217,800.50. Following the sale, the director owned 6,113 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,379,704.10. This trade represents a 13.63% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 16.40% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on UHS shares. Barclays raised their price objective on Universal Health Services from $250.00 to $263.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Raymond James Financial set a $270.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Mizuho set a $242.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $243.00 to $203.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $234.14.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.4%

NYSE:UHS opened at $225.25 on Wednesday. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.33 and a 12 month high of $246.32. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.70, a PEG ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.27. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $220.36 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $194.39.

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

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be issued a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio is presently 3.80%.

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.