Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS) Shares Acquired by National Pension Service

National Pension Service boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 3,477,100.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 34,772 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 34,771 shares during the quarter. National Pension Service owned about 0.05% of Universal Health Services worth $7,963,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Inspire Investing LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $897,000. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board grew its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 95.9% during the first quarter. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board now owns 19,511 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $3,560,000 after purchasing an additional 9,549 shares in the last quarter. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth about $738,000. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 5,033.3% in the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 7,084 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $1,292,000 after buying an additional 6,946 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UniSuper Management Pty Ltd boosted its stake in Universal Health Services by 501.5% during the first quarter. UniSuper Management Pty Ltd now owns 5,919 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $1,080,000 after buying an additional 4,935 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at approximately $864,248.44. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 16.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.4 %

Universal Health Services stock traded down $0.91 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $207.50. The company had a trading volume of 572,831 shares, compared to its average volume of 681,757. The firm has a market cap of $13.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.86, a P/E/G ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $225.03 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $203.48. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $127.43 and a 1 year high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.39.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.75 by ($0.04). Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. The firm had revenue of $3.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.90 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.55 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.89 earnings per share for the current year.

Universal Health Services declared that its board has initiated a stock repurchase plan 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 buy up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently commented on UHS. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $222.00 to $211.00 and set a "sector perform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 28th. Robert W. Baird increased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, September 4th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $231.14.

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.