Intact Investment Management Inc. Acquires 10,150 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. $UHS

Intact Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) by 780.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 11,450 shares of the health services provider’s stock after buying an additional 10,150 shares during the period. Intact Investment Management Inc.’s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $2,341,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Invesco Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 11.1% in the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,461,198 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $264,696,000 after acquiring an additional 145,730 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 3.5% during the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 926,669 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $167,866,000 after purchasing an additional 31,201 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in Universal Health Services by 0.8% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 639,524 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $115,850,000 after purchasing an additional 4,932 shares in the last quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the second quarter worth about $87,373,000. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the second quarter worth about $83,333,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.05% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,817 shares of Universal Health Services 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 completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 8,481 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,893,807.30. This trade represents a 31.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Elliot J. Md Mba Sussman sold 965 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.70, for a total value of $217,800.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 6,113 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,379,704.10. This represents a 13.63% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 16.40% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on UHS shares. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, October 11th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $219.00 target price for the company. UBS Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “equal weight” rating and set a $235.00 price objective (down previously from $259.00) on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. One investment 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. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $234.13.

Universal Health Services Trading Up 0.5%

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $206.02 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $152.33 and a 52-week high of $246.32. The stock has a market cap of $12.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.79, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.28. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $221.72 and a 200-day moving average price of $202.59.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The health services provider reported $5.69 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates 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 firm had revenue of $4.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.32 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.71 earnings per share. Universal Health Services’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.92 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st were paid a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 1st. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.4%. Universal Health Services’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 3.80%.

About Universal Health Services

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.