Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. Acquires 15,827 Shares of Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. raised its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 10.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 162,338 shares of the health services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 15,827 shares during the quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. owned approximately 0.24% of Universal Health Services worth $37,177,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter valued at about $32,000. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of Universal Health Services by 1,284.6% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares during the period. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the second quarter valued at about $35,000. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Universal Health Services in the first quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services during the first quarter worth about $43,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.05% of the company's stock.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

Shares of UHS traded up $0.68 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $201.69. The company had a trading volume of 763,805 shares, compared to its average volume of 842,757. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $221.18 and its 200 day simple moving average is $205.60. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 1-year low of $132.74 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. The company has a market capitalization of $13.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.41, a P/E/G ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.29.

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

Universal Health Services announced that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, July 24th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the health services provider to purchase up to 8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are often an indication that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently commented on UHS shares. KeyCorp started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Friday, October 11th. They set a "sector weight" rating on the stock. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Bank of America started coverage on shares of Universal Health Services in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $223.00 price target on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $200.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised 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 report on Wednesday, November 6th. Six 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Universal Health Services presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $231.14.

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.