Los Angeles Capital Management LLC Purchases 106,517 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Los Angeles Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 102.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 210,926 shares of the health services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 106,517 shares during the quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC owned 0.32% of Universal Health Services worth $48,304,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of UHS. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services during the 3rd quarter worth $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the second quarter worth $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth $36,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at $43,000. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In related news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 3,971 shares of the company's stock, valued at $864,248.44. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently commented on UHS. StockNews.com lowered shares of Universal Health Services from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. KeyCorp started coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 11th. They issued a "sector weight" rating on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a "neutral" rating and set a $219.00 price target on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Stephens restated an "equal weight" rating and issued a $200.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE:UHS traded down $0.91 during trading on Friday, reaching $207.50. 572,838 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 892,318. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52-week low of $127.43 and a 52-week high of $243.25. The business's fifty day moving average is $224.42 and its 200-day moving average is $204.08. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.80, a P/E/G ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.29.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.75 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a net margin of 6.66% and a return on equity of 15.75%. Universal Health Services's revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.55 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services announced that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the health services provider to reacquire up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are often a sign that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

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.