Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC Purchases 2,572 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 111.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,875 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 2,572 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $1,116,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Inspire Investing LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services during the 1st quarter valued at about $897,000. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 95.9% during the 1st 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 during the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB lifted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 27.9% during the 1st quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 65,643 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $11,998,000 after purchasing an additional 14,326 shares during the last quarter. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter worth about $738,000. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. raised its stake 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 acquiring an additional 6,946 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Universal Health Services Stock Up 1.5 %

Shares of Universal Health Services stock traded up $3.22 on Tuesday, hitting $212.05. The company had a trading volume of 497,934 shares, compared to its average volume of 677,282. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.94, a P/E/G ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.29. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a twelve month low of $127.21 and a twelve month high of $243.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $226.71 and a 200-day moving average of $203.06.

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

Universal Health Services declared that its board has approved a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the health services provider to repurchase up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total value of $749,552.16. Following the sale, the director now owns 3,971 shares of the company's stock, valued at $864,248.44. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Universal Health Services news, Director Nina Chen-Langenmayr sold 850 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.11, for a total transaction of $180,293.50. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 1,985 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $421,038.35. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Warren J. Nimetz sold 3,444 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $217.64, for a total transaction of $749,552.16. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 3,971 shares in the company, valued at $864,248.44. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

UHS has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $219.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 25th. TD Cowen dropped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $283.00 to $275.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 28th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $236.00 to $274.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 4th. Finally, KeyCorp began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, October 11th. They set a "sector weight" rating for the company. Five 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 company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $231.00.

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.