Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA Reduces Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA cut its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 0.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 920,445 shares of the health services provider’s stock after selling 6,224 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA owned approximately 1.45% of Universal Health Services worth $188,176,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in UHS. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 34.9% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 68,501 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $13,941,000 after acquiring an additional 17,728 shares during the period. Board of the Pension Protection Fund acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $961,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 66.1% during the 3rd quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 42,198 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $8,627,000 after buying an additional 16,789 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 16.6% during the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 10,029 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $1,851,000 after buying an additional 1,430 shares during the period. Finally, Capital Fund Management S.A. lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 12.9% in the second quarter. Capital Fund Management S.A. now owns 94,086 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $17,044,000 after acquiring an additional 10,754 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Stock Performance

Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $199.80 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 0.96. The business has a 50-day moving average of $223.95 and a 200 day moving average of $201.92. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $152.33 and a 12 month high of $246.32.

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

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st were given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 3.80%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on UHS shares. UBS Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their price target on Universal Health Services from $227.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $251.00 to $245.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “equal weight” rating and issued a $235.00 target price (down previously from $259.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $233.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $234.20.

Insider Buying and Selling at Universal Health Services

In other news, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was 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 approximately $1,379,704.10. This represents a 13.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of the 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 in the company, valued at approximately $1,893,807.30. The trade was a 31.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 16.40% of the company’s stock.

Universal Health Services Company Profile

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS’s facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.