Principal Financial Group Inc. Has $23.12 Million Stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Principal Financial Group Inc. trimmed its position in shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 5.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 100,956 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 5,655 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned approximately 0.15% of Universal Health Services worth $23,120,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the third quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position 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 worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter valued at $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC purchased a new position in Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $43,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on UHS shares. Bank of America assumed coverage on Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $223.00 target price for the company. KeyCorp began coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 11th. They issued a "sector weight" rating for the company. Stephens reissued an "equal weight" rating and set a $200.00 target price on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Thursday, July 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $231.14.

Universal Health Services Stock Down 0.1 %

UHS stock traded down $0.19 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $202.56. The company had a trading volume of 372,211 shares, compared to its average volume of 678,924. The company has a 50 day moving average of $222.50 and a two-hundred day moving average of $204.92. The company has a market capitalization of $13.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.50, a PEG ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.29. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1 year low of $132.38 and a 1 year high of $243.25. 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 (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 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%. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.55 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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