Tidal Investments LLC Grows Position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS)

Tidal Investments LLC increased its stake in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS - Free Report) by 208.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 12,100 shares of the health services provider's stock after buying an additional 8,171 shares during the period. Tidal Investments LLC's holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $2,771,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. purchased a new stake in Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth about $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the third quarter worth $39,000. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake 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 worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Huntington National Bank increased its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 414.3% during the third quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 180 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in Universal Health Services in the 2nd quarter worth about $35,000. 86.05% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have commented on UHS. KeyCorp began coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 11th. They issued a "sector weight" rating for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $219.00 price objective on shares of Universal Health Services in a report on Friday, October 25th. Barclays boosted their target price on Universal Health Services from $256.00 to $271.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and dropped their price target for the company from $228.00 to $198.00 in a report on Monday. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $275.00 to $251.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Universal Health Services currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $223.29.

Universal Health Services Price Performance

UHS traded down $3.30 on Monday, hitting $184.10. 902,852 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 680,315. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $207.54 and its 200-day simple moving average is $208.56. 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 one year low of $147.33 and a one year high of $243.25. The firm has a market cap of $12.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.42, a P/E/G ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.28.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The health services provider reported $3.71 EPS 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 analysts' expectations of $3.90 billion. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 6.66%. Universal Health Services's quarterly revenue was up 11.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.55 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 15.88 EPS for the current year.

Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 3rd. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.43%. Universal Health Services's payout ratio is 5.32%.

Insider Transactions at Universal Health Services

In other Universal Health Services news, Director Maria Ruderman Singer sold 1,614 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.15, for a total transaction of $308,516.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 5,879 shares in the company, valued at $1,123,770.85. This trade represents a 21.54 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Insiders own 16.10% of the company's stock.

About Universal Health Services

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.